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A SCRAMBLE FOR LIFE. — Page 5. (Frontispiece.) 


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I THE FUGITIVES 

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OR 

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I THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 

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BY EO Mf BALLANTYNE, 


AUTHOR OF “red ROONEY;” “THE ROVER OF THE ANDES;” “THE WILD MAN OF THE 

f west;” “the red eric;” “freaks on the fells;” “the young trawler;” 

“dusty DIAMONDS ;” “ THE BATTERY AND THE BOILER ; ” “ POST HASTE;” 

“black ivory;” “the iron horse;” “fighting the flames;” 

“ the lifeboat ; ” etc. etc. 


li. 


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NEW YORK: 

THOMAS NELSON AND SONS, 

42 BLEECKER STREET, 

1887, 




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4 


PEEFACE. 


It is almost allowable, I think, to say that this 
is a true story, for fiction has only been introduced 
for the purpose of piecing together and making a 
symmetrical whole of a number of most interest- 
ing facts in regard to Madagascar and the terrible 
persecutions that took place there in the early part 
and middle of the present century. 

I have ventured to modify time and place some- 
what, as well as to mix my characters and their 
deeds a little, in order to suit the conditions of 
my tale; but in doing so I have striven to avoid 
exaggeration and to produce a true picture of the 
state of affairs, at the period treated of, in what 
may be styled one of the most interesting and 
progressive islands of the world. 

I take this opportunity of thanking the Eev. 
George Cousins, of the London Missionary Society, 


iv 


PREFACE. 


and formerly of Madagascar, for kindly supplying 
me with much valuable information, and of acknow- 
ledging myself indebted, among others, to the works 
of Messrs. Sibree, Ellis, and Shaw. 

E. M. BALLANTYNE. 


Harrow-on-the-Hill, 1887. 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

CHAP. I. — INTRODUCES THE CHIEF ACTORS AND A FEW MYSTERIES, 1 

IT.— HARKS BACK A LITTLE, 15 

in. — DESCRIBES THE DEED OF AN AMATEUR MATADOR AND 

THE WORK OF A ROUGH-AND-READY SHOEMAKER, 25 

IV.— THE DOCTOR FINDS UNEXPECTED WORK IN THE 
WILDERNESS, AND A MYSTERIOUS STRANGER IS 
INTRODUCED, 40 

V.— THE outlaw’s FRIENDS — THREATENED DANGER 

CURIOUSLY AVERTED, 55 

VI. — THE GUIDE BECOMES COMMUNICATIVE, AND TELLS OP 

TERRIBLE DOINGS, 72 

VII.— DESCRIBES A MEEK MOTHER AND CROCODILE-SON — 
JOURNEY RESUMED AND STRANGE TREATMENT OP 
THE KING OF THE WATERS, 85 

VIII.— A FRIEND APPEARS UNEXPECTEDLY, AND OUR TRA- 
VELLERS SPEND A DISTURBED NIGHT, . . .101 

IX.— A JOVIAL CHIEF, AND NEW EXPERIENCES OP VARIOUS 

KINDS, 114 

X.-— TELLS OF A GRAND HUNT AND OTHER THINGS, . 126 

XI. — AN UNINVITED GUEST APPEARS WITH NEWS THAT 

DEMANDS INSTANT ACTION, 141 


VI 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

CHAP. XII. — A NARROW ESCAPE AND THREATENING CLOUDS, . 157 

XIII. — ARRIVAL AT THE CAPITAL — QUEEN BANAVALONA’S 

TROUBLES AND PERPLEXITIES, .... 173 

XIV. — THE PRIME MINISTER LAYS DEEP PLANS— SO DOES 

HIS NEPHEW — THE GREAT MARKET-PLACE — A 
FRIEND IN DEADLY PERIL, AND OUR THREE 
HEROES COME TO GRIEF, 193 

XV. — THE SPIES AND THE SECRET MEETING — THE PRIME 

MINISTER FOILED BY THE PRINCE, . . . 208 

XVI.— IN PRISON— EFFECTS OP A FIRST SIGHT OP TORTURE, 222 

XVIL— MAMBA IS SUCCOURED BY ONE OP THE “ANCIENT 

SOOT,” AND FULFILS HIS MYSTERIOUS MISSION, 234 

XVIII. —UNEXPECTED DELIVERANCE AND SEVERAL SUR- 
PRISES, 252 

XIX.— A MALAGASY GARDEN PARTY— THE CLOUD GROWS 

BLACKER, 268 

XX.— A GREAT KABARY IS HELD, FOLLOWED BY DREADFUL 

MARTYRDOMS, 281 

XXI.— MAMBA, SUBJECTED TO THE ORDEAL OF THE “ TAN- 
GENA,” ESCAPES, BUT AFTERWARDS ACCUSES 
HIMSELF AND IS CONDEMNED, .... 294 

XXII. — THE COURT PHYSICIAN PRESCRIBES FOR THE QUEEN 
—A BLOW-UP, AND MYSTERIOUS PREPARATIONS 
FOR TREMENDOUS SURPRISES, .... 305 

XXIII.— IN WHICH MARK CARRIES OUT HIS PLANS SUCCESS- 
FULLY, AND POWERFULLY ASTONISHES HIMSELF 
AS WELL AS EVERY ONE ELSE, . . . .318 

XXIV.— FLIGHT AND PURSUIT OP RAVONINO AND RAFARA- 

VAVY, 336 

XXV.— THE FOREST REFUGE — VOALAVO IS WARLIKE, 
RAVONINO PEACEFUL, AND FALSE FRIENDS DAN- 
GEROUS, 


349 


CONTENTS. Vll 

PAGE 

CHAP. XXVI . — DR. BREEZY PRESCRIBES FOR THE QUEEN, AND 

ATTAINS TO TEMPORARY “ PERFIK F’LICITY,” 361 

XXVII. — IN "WHICH A HAPPY CHANGE FOR THE BETTER IS 

DISASTROUSLY INTERRUPTED, >. . .374 

XXVIII. — IN WHICH TERRIBLE BUT TRUE MARTYRDOMS ARE 

DESCRIBED, 387 

XXIX. — THREATENED DEATH AVERTED— BURIED ALIVE 
— END OF THE TYRANT QUEEN — REVOLT 
CRUSHED AND RADAMA II. CROWNED, . . 404 

XXX. —THE LAST, 420 


LIST OF ILLUSTEATIONS. 


A SCRAMBLE FOR LIFE (p. 5), 
ILLUSTRATED TITLE-PAGE. 
AN AMATEUR MATADOR, . 
NOCTURNAL VISITORS, . 

A FUGITIVE MEETING, . 
HIDING IN A SWAMP, . 


. Frontispiece, 


facing page 35 
107 
210 


345 


THE FUGITIVES 

OR 

THE TYEANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR 


CHAPTER 1. 

INTRODUCES THE CHIEF ACTORS AND A FEW MYSTERIES. 

Intense action is at all times an interesting 
object of contemplation to mankind. We therefore 
make no apology to the reader for dragging him un- 
ceremoniously into the middle of a grand primeval 
forest, and presenting to his view the curious and 
stirring spectacle of two white men and a negro 
running at their utmost possible speed, with flashing 
eyes and labouring chests — evidently running for 
their lives. 

Though very different in aspect and condition, 
those men were pretty equally matched as runners, 
for there was no apparent difference in the vigour 
with which they maintained the pace. 

The track or footpath along which they ran was 
so narrow as to compel them to advance in single 
file. He who led was a tall agile youth of nineteen 


A 


2 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


or thereabouts, in knickerbocker shooting-garb, with 
short curly black hair, pleasantly expressive features, 
and sinewy frame. The second was obviously a 
true-blue tar — a regular sea-dog — about thirty years 
of age, of Samsonian mould, and, albeit running for 
very life, with grand indignation gleaming in his 
eyes. He wore a blue shirt on his broad back, 
white ducks on his active legs, and a straw hat on 
his head, besides a mass of shaggy hair, which, 
apparently, not finding enough of room on his 
cranium, overflowed in two brown cataracts down 
his cheeks, and terminated in a voluminous 
beard. 

The third fugitive was also a young man, and a 
negro, short, thickset, square, tough as india-rubber, 
and black as the Emperor of Zahara. Good-humour 
wrinkled the corners of his eyes, the milk of human 
kindness played on his thick lips and rippled his 
sable brow, and intense sincerity, like a sunbeam, 
suffused his entire visage. 

James Ginger — for that was his name, though 
his friends preferred to call him Ebony — scorned a 
hat of any kind ; his simple costume consisting 
merely of two garments — canvas trousers and a 
guernsey shirt. 

The sailor wore a cutlass in his belt. Ebony was 
unarmed. The youthful leader carried a short fowl- 
ing-piece. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


3 


A yell in the far distance, as if from a hundred 
fiends, told that the pursuers had discovered the 
trail of the fugitives, and were gaining on them. 

We ’ll have to fight for it, doctor,” growled the 
sailor in a savage tone, ‘‘better stop while we’ve 
got some wind left.” 

“ The wood seems more open ahead,” replied the 
youth, “ let ’s push on a bit further.” 

“ Hi ! ” exclaimed the negro in surprise, not un- 
mingled with alarm, as they suddenly emerged on 
an open space and found themselves on the edge of 
a stupendous precipice. 

The formation of the region was curious. There 
was a drop in the land, as it were, to a lower 
level. From their elevated position the three men 
could see a turbulent river rushing far below, at the 
base of the cliffs on the edge of which they stood. 
Beyond lay a magnificent and varied stretch of 
forest scenery, extending away to the horizon, where 
the prospect terminated in a blue range of hills. 
No path was at first visible by which the fugitives 
could reach the plain below. The precipice was 
almost perpendicular. They were about to leap 
recklessly over, and trust to descending by means 
of an occasional bush or shrub which grew on the 
rocky face, when the negro uttered one of his 
falsetto exclamations. 

“ Hi ! here am a track.” 


4 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


He dashed aside the branches of an overhanging 
bush, and ran along a narrow path, or ledge, which 
sloped gently downwards. It was a fearfully giddy 
position, but this in the circumstances, and to men 
accustomed to mast-heads and yard-arms, was of 
small moment. On they ran, at a more cautious 
pace indeed, but still with anxious haste, until about 
a quarter of the distance down the face of the preci- 
pice, when, to their horror, they came to a turn in 
the path where it suddenly ended. A mass of rock, 
apparently detached from the cliff by recent rains, 
had fallen from above, and in its thundering descent 
had carried away fully ten yards of the path into the 
stream below, where they could see its shattered 
fragments in the rushing river. The gap in front 
of them was absolutely impassable. On the right, 
the cliff rose sheer upwards. On the left, it went 
sheer down. 

A sort of groan escaped from the doctor. 

“What’s to be done now, Hockins?” he asked 
sharply, turning to the sailor. 

“Die!” replied Hockins, in a tone of savage 
bitterness. 

“ Stuff an’ nonsense ! we no’ die yit,” said the 
negro, pointing to the snake-like branches of a climb- 
ing plant which, spreading over the naked face of 
the cliff, turned into a crevice and disappeared round 
a jutting point. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 5 

“Will it bear our weight, lad?” asked the 
sailor doubtfully. 

“It leads to nothing that I can see,” said the 
young doctor, “and would only ensure our being 
dashed to pieces instead of speared.” 

“ Nebber fear, massa Breezy. Dis not de fus’ 
time I ’s goed troo de forests. If you stop here you 
die. James Gingah he go on an’ lib.” 

“Go on then. Ebony ; we will follow,” returned 
Breezy, slinging his gun on his shoulder so as to 
leave his hands free. 

A yell of disappointment on the cliffs above 
accelerated their movements. It was evident that 
the pursuers had come out on the open plateau, but 
had not observed the path by which they descended. 
As it was certain, however, that they would find it 
in a few minutes. Ebony sprang upon the creeping 
plant and clambered along its tortuous limbs like 
a monkey. Young Breezy followed, and Hockins 
came last. 

The plant was tough. It stood the strain well. 
If it had given way, death on the jagged rocks below 
would have been the result. But death by savage 
spears was behind them, so they did not hesitate. 
A few seconds and all three had passed round the 
jutting rock and into the crevice, where they were 
completely hidden from the view of any one standing 
on the path they had just left. 


6 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


In the crevice they found a ledge or platform 
sufficiently large to admit of their standing together. 
They had scarcely obtained a footing on it when 
another shout announced that the pursuer had 
traced their trail to the head of the track. 

We know not, reader, whether you have ever 
experienced that heart-melting qualm which comes 
over one at the sudden and unexpected approach of 
what, at least, appears to be death. If you have, 
you will be able to understand the intense relief 
and thankfulness felt by the fugitives when, safe 
from immediate danger, they listened to their 
pursuers as they held excited conversation at the 
end of the broken track. Not knowing the language 
they could not, of course, understand what was said, 
and being just beyond the range of vision — owing to 
the jutting cliff that concealed them — they could not 
see what their pursuers were doing, but they heard 
a suggestive crash and a sharp exclamation. 

Had they been able to see, they would have 
understood the situation well enough without the 
aid of language. 

Two of the natives, who were dark-skinned and 
almost naked savages, had come to the place where 
the track had been broken away. They gazed at 
the profound depths on the left and the inaccessible 
cliffs on the right, and then glanced at each other in 
solemn surprise. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 7 

No doubt the creeping plant would in a few 
seconds have attracted special attention, had not an 
incident turned their minds in another direction. 
While the foremost savage was craning his neck so 
as to see as far round the projecting cliff as possible, 
the piece of rock on which his advanced foot rested 
was dislodged, and he had the narrowest possible 
escape from plunging headlong after the rock, which 
went bounding and crashing into the gulf below. 

Instantly the faces of the two men gleamed with 
intelligence ; they nodded with energy, grinned with 
satisfaction, and pointed to the abyss in front of 
them with the air of men who had no doubt that 
their enemies were lying down there in quivering 
fragments. 

Something of this James Ginger did indeed 
manage to see. Curiosity was so powerfully devel- 
oped in that sable spirit, that, at the imminent risk 
of his life, he reached out by means of a branch, and 
so elongated his black neck that he got one of his 
brilliant eyes to bear for a moment upon his foes. 
He appreciated the situation instantly, and drew 
back to indulge in a smothered laugh which shut up 
both his eyes and appeared to gash his face from 
ear to ear. 

“What’s wrong with you. Ebony?” whispered 
Mark Breezy, who was in anything but a laughing 
mood just then. 


8 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


“ Oh ! nuffin, nuffin, massa ; only dem brown 
niggers are sitch asses dat dey b’lieve a’most any- 
ting. Black niggers aint so easy putt off de scent. 
Dey tinks we ’s tumble ober de precipis an’ busted 
ourselbes.” 

“ Lucky for us that they think so,” said Hockins, 
in a soft tone of satisfaction. “ But now, what are 
we to do ? It was bad enough clamberin’ up here 
in blazin’ excitement to save our lives, but it will 
be ten times worse gettin’ down again in cold blood 
when they ’re gone.” 

“Time enough to consider that when they are 
gone,” muttered Breezy. “ Hush ! Listen ! ” 

The sounds that reached their place of conceal- 
ment told clearly enough that a number of the 
savages had descended the cliffs, presumably to look 
at the place over which the white men had fallen. 
Then there was much eager conversation in an 
unknown tongue, mingled with occasional bursts of 
laughter — on hearing which latter the huge mouth 
of our negro enlarged in silent sympathy. After a 
while the voices were heard to retire up the narrow 
track and become fainter until they died away 
altogether, leaving no sound save the murmur of 
the rushing river to fill the ears of the anxious 
listeners who stood like three statues in a niche on 
the face of that mighty precipice. 

“Now, you know,” said Breezy, with a sigh of 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


9 


relief, “this is very satisfactory as far as it goes, 
and we have reason to be thankful that we are 
neither speared nor dashed to pieces ; nevertheless, 
we are in an uncomfortable fix here, for night is 
approaching, and we must retrace our steps somehow 
or other, unless we make up our minds to sleep 
standing.” 

“ That ’s so, doctor. There ’s not room to lie down 
here,” assented the sailor, glancing slowly round; 
“an', to tell ee the plain truth, I feel as funky 
about trustin’ myself again to that serpent-like 
creeper as I felt the first time I went up through 
the lubber-hole the year I went to sea.” 

‘‘What you’s ’fraid ob, Mr. ’Ockins?” asked 
Ebony. 

“ Afraid o’ the nasty thing givin’ way under my 
weight. If it was a good stout rope, now, I wouldn’t 
mind, but every crack it gave when I was cornin’ 
aloft made my heart jump a’most out o’ my mouth.” 

“What have ee found there, doctor?” asked the 
seaman, on observing that his companion was grop- 
ing behind a mass of herbage at the back part of 
the niche in which they stood. 

“ There ’s a big hole here, Hockins. Perhaps we 
may find room to stay where we are, after all, till 
morning. Come here. Ebony, you’ve got some- 
thing of the eel about you. Try if you can wriggle 


10 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


The negro at once thrust his head and shoulders 
into the hole, but could not advance. 

“ Bery strange ! ” he said, drawing out his head, 
and snorting once or twice like a dog that has half- 
choked himself in a rabbit-hole. “Seems to me 
dere ’s a big block o’ wood dere stoppin’ de way.” 

“ Strange indeed. Ebony. A block of wood could 
not have grown there. Are you sure it is not a big 
root ? ” 

“ Sartin’ sure, massa. I hab studied roots since I 
was a babby. Hold on, I try again.” 

The negro tried again, and with such vigour that 
he not only displaced the block of wood, but burst in 
several planks which concealed the entrance to a 
cavern. They fell on the stone floor with a crash 
that aroused a multitude of echoes in the dark 
interior. At the same moment something like a 
faint shriek or wail was heard within, causing the 
hearts of the three listeners to beat faster. 

“ Did you hear that, Hockins ? ” 

“ Ay, I heard it sure enough. What is it, think 
ee, lad ? ” said the seaman to the negro. 

Ebony, who was gazing into the dark cavern with 
glaring eyeballs and distended nostrils, replied — 

“My ’vice to you is let’s go back de way we 
come. Dis no place for ’spectable Christians.” 

“ Do you fear ghosts ? ” asked Mark, smiling, 
yet at the same time bringing his gun into a 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 1 1 

convenient position, with his finger ready on the 
trigger. 

I fears nuffin,” returned the negro with a proud 
look, while beads of perspiration stood on his brow. 

“ Then ye ’re a braver man than I am. Ebony, for 
I fear that climbin’ plant worse than a ghost; so 
here goes to find out what it is.” 

Although the sailor spoke thus boldly, and tried 
to look cool, it is certain that he also was afflicted 
with sensations of an unusual description, which, of 
course, he would have scorned to admit were the 
result of fear ! His power of will, however, was 
stronger than his fears. Drawing his cutlass, he was 
about to enter the cavern, when Mark laid a hand 
on his shoulder. 

“Come, Hockins, you have accepted my lead 
hitherto. It is not fair to take it out of my hands 
at this critical point.” 

So saying he glided past his comrade, and was 
almost lost to sight immediately in the deep gloom. 

“ Softly, softly, doctor,” whispered the seaman, as 
he followed, “ there may be holes or pits within — ” 

“ All right ; I ’m feeling my way carefully. Keep 
close.” 

As he spoke a slight, indescribable sound was 
heard — almost like a sigh. 

“ Hist ! Did ee hear that ? ” said Hockins in the 
lowest possible whisper. 


12 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


“ Oh ! massa, let ’s go back de way we come,” 
urged Ebony, in the same low but earnest tone. 

Mark Breezy did not reply, but the click of his 
gun as he cocked it showed that he was on the 
alert. 

For nearly a minute the three men stood in 
absolute silence, listening for a repetition of the 
mysterious sound, and, though it did not recur, there 
was an indescribable feeling in the heart of each 
that they were not alone in that cavern. 

“ Have you not flint and steel ? ” asked Mark. 

“ Yes ; but to strike a light would only show our 
whereabouts if there is any one here.” 

The seaman accidentally touched Ebony on the 
elbow as he spoke, and sent that worthy’s heart, or 
something like it, into his throat with such violence 
as nearly to choke him. 

“ Git along, massa,” he said in a gaspy whisper, 
when able to articulate, “ we ’s got to go troo wid it 
now.” 

Acting on this advice the young man continued 
to advance cautiously, feeling his way step by step 
and fully expecting every moment to reach the 
inner wall of the cavern. 

Presently the explorers were again brought to a 
stand by the sudden appearance of a light in the far 
distance. As, however, it did not move, they con- 
tinued to advance, and soon were convinced that it 


THE TYEANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


13 


was daylight shining through an opening in that 
direction. Every step convinced them more and 
more that they were right, and their spirits rose 
with the hope of escaping, though the light made 
no appreciable difference as yet in the darkness 
that surrounded them. 

Suddenly a sharp, loud, short cry filled the cavern 
for an instant, and almost froze their blood ! The 
loudness and abrupt stoppage of the cry left the 
impression that the creature which uttered it had 
been suddenly and effectively killed, for it ended in 
a sharp gasp or gurgle, and then all was still, — but 
only for a moment, for the shock to Mark’s nerves 
was such that his finger inadvertently pressed the 
trigger of his gun, which exploded with a deafening 
crash, and awoke shrieks and cries that were not to 
be accounted for by mere echoes. 

This was too much for ordinary human beings. 
Fabled knights of old in armour of proof might 
have stood it, but the two white men and the black, 
being ordinary heroes, regardless of pride and honour, 
went in for a regular stampede, and it is but simple 
justice to say that Ebony won, for he reached the 
outlet of the cavern first, and sprang through it into 
daylight like a black thunderbolt. It is also due to 
his comrades to add that they were not far behind 
him. 

Their courage, however, was soon restored. Day- 


14 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


light has a celebrated power of restoring courage. 
On clearing the bushes which concealed the entrance 
to the cave they simultaneously stopped, turned 
round, and resolutely faced their foe ! 

But no foe was to be seen ! Once again all was 
still as death. After glaring for a few seconds at 
the spot whence the expected enemy should have 
issued, the three fugitives relaxed their frowning 
brows and turned inquiring eyes on each other. 

Dis beats cockfightin’ a’most,” said Ebony, with 
a sigh of intense relief. 

“ Ay, an<{ every other sort o’ fightin’ as I ever 
heard on,” responded Hockins. 

“ Come, friends,” said their young leader, “ what- 
ever it may have been, it behoves us to get as 
far away from this spot as possible, and that as 
fast as we can.” 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


15 


CHAPTEE 11. 

HARKS BACK A LITTLE. 

The spot where our adventurers found themselves 
on issuing from the mysterious cave was a peculiarly 
rugged one. It formed a sort of hollow or depres- 
sion in the forest-land in which we introduced the 
three men as fugitives. From this hollow there 
descended a narrow track or pathway to the exten- 
sive valley which had been seen from the summit 
of the precipice that barred their flight, and had so 
nearly proved fatal. 

So confused was the nature of the ground here, 
and so intricate were the tracks — originally formed 
no doubt by wild animals, though made use of by 
wandering men — that it became impossible for Mark 
Breezy to know in what direction he was leading his 
comrades as he wound in and out among large rocks 
and fallen trees. In fact it was more by chance 
than guidance that they ultimately hit upon the 
path which finally led them to the lower region or 
plateau of forest-land ; and it is certain that they 


16 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


would have found it impossible to find their way 
back to the cave, even had they desired to do so. 

Their chief object, however, was to put as much 
space as possible between themselves and their late 
pursuers, and to this end they pushed forward at 
their best speed, until they reached a small river 
which appeared to be a tributary to, or a branch of, 
that which they had seen from the heights earlier 
in the day. 

“ ‘ Come to a ribber — couldn’t git across, 

Gib a couple o’ dollars for an’ old blind boss,” 

murmured Ebony, quoting an ancient ditty. 

“We shall have to swim it, I fear,” remarked 
Breezy, “ for there is no horse here, blind or other- 
wise. Perhaps that fallen tree may prove strong 
enough to serve as a bridge.” 

He pointed to a slender tree which had evidently 
been placed there, with several others, for the purpose 
of forming a rough and ready bridge ; but its com- 
panions had been removed by floods, for they lay 
tossed on the bank further down among other 
wreckage. 

“ It ’ll be somethin’ like tight-rope dancin’,” said 
the sailor. “ We ’ll have to repair the bridge.” 

“ Nuffin ob de sort ! Look here.” 

Ebony ran to the tree referred to, and skipped 
over with admirable agility, though it bent under 
him not unlike a tight-rope. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


17 


“ But I can’t do that,” said Hockins, “ not bein’ a 
black monkey, d’ee see ?” 

With a sudden expression of intense pity the 
negro exclaimed — “ Oh ! I beg pardin’. Didn’t I 
forgot ; you ’s on’y a white man. But stop ; I come 
ober agin an’ took you on my back.” 

He pretended to be on the point of recrossing, but 
the sailor had already got upon the bridge, and, 
with much balancing and waving of his long arms, 
passed over in safety. Mark was about to follow, 
when Hockins called out, “Better pitch over the 
powder-flask in case you fall in ” 

“ That ’s true, for I mayn’t be as good as you or 
Ebony on the tight-rope. Look out ! ” 

He pulled the powder-flask out of his pocket and 
threw it towards his comrades. Unfortunately the 
branch of an overhanging bush had touched his 
hand. The touch was slight, but it sufi&ced to divert 
the flask from its proper course, and sent it into the 
middle of the stream. 

Ebony followed it head first like an otter, but 
soon reappeared, gasping and unsuccessful. Again 
and again he dived, but failed to find the flask, 
without which, of course, their gun was useless, 
and at last they were obliged to continue their 
flight -without it. 

This was a very serious loss, for they had not an 
ounce of provisions with them, and were in a land 
B 


18 


THE FUGITIVES, OK 


the character and resources of which were utterly 
unknown at least to two of them, while the youth 
who had become their leader knew very little more 
than the fact that it was the island of Madagascar, 
that it lay about 300 miles off the eastern shores of 
Africa, and that the tribes by whom they were sur- 
rounded were little if at all better than savages. 

That day they wandered far into the depths of a 
dark and tangled forest, intentionally seeking its 
gloomiest recesses in order to avoid the natives, and 
at night went supperless to rest among the branches 
of an umbrageous tree, not knowing what danger 
from man or beast might assail them if they should 
venture to sleep on the ground. 

Although possessed of flint and steel, as well as 
tinder, they did not use them for fear of attracting 
attention. As they had nothing to cook, the depriva- 
tion was not great. Fortunately the weather at the 
time was pleasantly warm, so that beyond the discom- 
fort of not being able to stretch out at full length, the 
occasional poking of awkward knots and branches 
into their ribs, and the constant necessity of holding 
on lest they should fall off, their circumstances were 
not insufferable, and might have been worse. 

While they are enjoying their repose, we will tell 
in a few sentences who they were and how they got 
there. 

When Mark Breezy, in the closing years of his 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


19 


medical-student career, got leave to go on a voyage 
to China in one of his father’s ships, the Eastern 
Star, for the benefit of his health and the enlarge- 
ment of his understanding, he had no more idea that 
that voyage would culminate in a bed up a tree in 
the forests of Madagascar than you, reader, have 
that you will ultimately become an inhabitant of 
the moon ! The same remark may with equal truth 
be made of John Hockins when he joined the 
Eastern Star as an able seaman, and of James 
Ginger — alias Ebony — when he shipped as cook. 
If the captain of the Eastern Star had introduced 
those three, — who had never seen each other before 
— and told them that they would spend many 
months together among savages in the midst of 
terrestrial beauty, surrounded by mingled human 
depravity and goodness, self-denial and cruelty, fun 
and tragedy such as few men are fated to experience, 
they would have smiled at each other with good- 
natured scepticism and regarded their captain as a 
facetious lunatic. 

Yet so it turned out, though the captain prophesied 
it not — and this was the way of it. 

Becalmed off the coast of Madagascar, and 
having, through leakage in one of the tanks, run 
short of water, the captain ordered a boat with 
casks to be got ready to go ashore for water. The 
young doctor got leave to land and take his gun 


20 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


for the purpose of procuring specimens — for he was 
something of a naturalist — and having a ramble. 

“ Don’t get out of hail, Doctor,” said the captain, 
as the boat shoved off. 

“ All right, sir, I won’t.” 

‘‘An’ take a couple o’ the men into the bush 
with you in case of accidents.” 

“ Ay ay, sir,” responded Mark, waving his hand 
in acknowledgment. 

And that was the last that Mark Breezy and the 
captain of the Eastern Star saw of each other for 
many a day. 

“ Who will go with me ? ” asked Mark, when the 
boat touched the shore. 

“Me, massa,” eagerly answered the negro cook, 
who had gone ashore in the hope of being able to 
get some fresh vegetables from the natives if any 
were to be found living there. “ Seems to me dere ’s 
no black mans here, so may ’s well try de woods for 
wild wegibles.” 

“No no, Ebony,” said the first mate, who had 
charge of the boat, “ you ’ll be sure to desert if we 
let you go — unless we send Hockins to look after 
you. He’s the only man that can keep you in 
order.” 

“Well, I’ll take Hockins also,” said Mark, “you 
heard the captain say I was to have two men. 
Will you go, Hockins ? ” 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


21 


‘'Ay ay, sir,” answered the seaman, sedately, 
but with a wrinkle or two on his visage which 
proved that the proposal was quite to his taste. 

All the men of the boat's crew were armed either 
with cutlass or carbine — in some cases with both ; 
for although the natives were understood to be 
friendly at that part of the coast it was deemed 
prudent to be prepared for the reverse. Thus John 
Hockins carried a cutlass in his belt, but no fire-arm, 
and the young doctor had his double-barrelled 
gun, with powder-flask and shot-belt, but Ebony — 
being a free-and-easy, jovial sort of nigger — went 
unarmed, saying he "didn’t want to carry no 
harms, seein’ he would need all de harms he had 
to carry back de fresh wegibles wid.” 

Thus those three went into the bush, promising 
to keep well within ear-shot, and to return instantly 
at the flrst summons. 

That summons came — not as a shout, as had been 
expected, but as a shot — about an hour after the 
landing. Our explorers ran to the top of a 
neighbouring mound in some surprise, not unmixed 
with anxiety. Before they reached the summit a 
volley from the direction of the sea, followed by 
fierce yells, told that some sort of evil was going 
on. Another moment, and they reached the 
eminence just in time to behold their boat’s crew 
pulling off shore while a band of at least a hundred 


22 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


savages attacked them — some rushing into the 
water chest-deep in order to seize the boat. Cut- 
lass and carbine, however, proved more than a 
match for stone and spear. 

The fight had scarce lasted a minute, and our 
trio were on the point of rushing down to the 
rescue, when a white cloud burst from the side of 
the Eastern StaVy the woods and cliffs echoed with 
the roar of a big gun, and a shot, plunging into the 
crowd of natives, cut down many of them and went 
crashing into the bushes. 

It was enough. The natives turned and fled 
while the boat pulled to the ship. 

Uncertainty as to what should be done kept 
Mark Breezy and his companions rooted for a few 
seconds to the spot. Indecision was banished, 
however, when they suddenly perceived a band of 
thirty or forty natives moving stealthily towards 
them by a circuitous route, evidently with the 
intention of taking them in rear and preventing 
them from finding shelter in the woods. 

It was the first time that the young student's 
manhood had been put severely to the test. There 
was a rush of hot blood to his forehead, and his 
heart beat powerfully as he saw and realised the 
hopelessness of their case with such tremendous 
odds against them. 

“We can die but once,” he said with forced calm- 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


23 


ness, as he cocked his gun and prepared to defend 
himself. 

I ’s not a-goin* to die at all,” said the negro, 
hastily tightening his belt, I’s a-goin’ to squatilate.” 

‘‘And you ?” said Mark, turning to the seaman. 

“ Eun, says I, of coorse,” replied Hockins, with 
something between a grin and a scowl ; “ ye know 
the old song — him wot fights an’ runs away may 
live to fight another day !” 

“Come along, then!” cried Mark, who felt that 
whether they fought or ran he was bound to 
retain the leadership of his little party. 

As we have seen, they ran to some purpose. No 
doubt if they had started on equal terms, the lithe, 
hardy, and almost naked savages would have soon 
overtaken them, but fortunately a deep gully lay 
between them and the party of natives who had 
first observed them. Before this was crossed the 
fugitives were over the second ridge of rolling land 
that lay between the thick woods and the sea, and 
when the savages at last got upon their track and 
began steadily to overhaul them, the white men had 
got fairly into the forest. 

Still there would have been no chance of ultimate 
escape if they had not come upon the footpath down 
the precipice which we have described as having 
been partly carried away by falling rocks, thus 
enabling Hockins and his companions to make a 


24 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


scramble for life which no one but a sailor, a 
monkey, or a hero, would have dared, and the 
impossibility of even attempting which never 
occurred to the pursuers, who concluded, as we have 
seen, that the white men had been dashed to 
pieces on the rocks far below. 

Whether they afterwards found out their mistake 
or not we cannot tell. 

The reason — long afterwards ascertained — of this 
unprovoked attack on the boat’s crew, was the old 
story. A party of godless white men had previous- 
ly visited that part of the coast and treated the 
poor natives with great barbarity, thus stirring up 
feelings of hatred and revenge against all white men 
— at least for the time being. In this way the 
innocent are too often made to suffer for the guilty. 

We will now return to our friends in the tree. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


25 


CHAPTER III. 

DESCRIBES THE DEED OP AN AMATEUR MATADOR AND THE WORK 
OF A ROUGH-AND-READY SHOEMAKER. 

When the day began to break Hockins awoke, 
and his first impulse was to shout “ hold on ! ” 
Ebony’s first action was to let go, thereby bringing 
himself to the ground with an awful thud, which 
would have told severely on any one less akin to 
india-rubber. 

Eor a few minutes Mark Breezy, holding tight to 
his particular branch, looked down at his companions, 
yawned heavily, and smiled a little. Then a sudden 
impulse of memory caused him to look grave. 

Come,” he said, dropping lightly from his perch, 
“ these natives may have been searching for us all 
night, and are perhaps nearer than we suppose. I 
vote that we push on at once.” 

“ Agreed,” said Hockins, stretching himself. 

'‘Ho fear, Massa,” remarked the negro. “If it 
wur moonlight dey might;‘^ve search, but whar de 
nights am dark dey knows better. De niggahs in 
dis yer island hab got skins an’ eyes an’ noses. If 


26 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


dey was to go troo such woods in de dark, dey hah 
no skins or eyes or noses in de mornin — leas’wise 
nufifin wuth mentionin’. Cause why ? Dey ’d all 
git knocked into a sorter mush. Plenty ob time for 
breakfast ’fore we start.” 

“That’s true, boy,” said Hockins, “but where’s 
the breakfast to come from?” 

“ What ! you no bringed nuffin in your pockits ?’’ 
asked the negro with a look of visible anxiety on his 
expressive face. 

Hockins turned his various pockets inside out by 
way of reply. 

“ I am equally destitute,” said Mark. 

The negro groaned as he slowly drew from his 
breeches pockets two sea-biscuits and a cold sausage. 

“ I meant dat,” he said, as a light lunch for one 
yisterday.” 

“ It ’ll have to do dooty, then, as a heavy break- 
fast for three this morning. Ebony. Come, divide, 
and let ’s have fair play.” 

“ Here, massa,” said Ebony, handing the food to 
Mark, "‘you divide, I ain’t got de moral courage to 
do it fair, Humber one is too strong in me when 
I ’s hungry!” 

With a laugh at this candid admission the youth 
did his best at a fair division. In a few minutes the 
scanty meal was finished, and the fugitives proceeded 
straight into the interior of the country at the ut- 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 27 

most speed which was compatible with sustained 
exertion. 

They could see the faint outlines of a mountain 
range in the far distance, and towards that they 
directed their steps, knowing that in the event of 
sustained pursuit they had a much better chance of 
escaping among the rugged fastnesses of a mountain 
region than in the forests or on the plains. But 
they saw plainly that there was many a weary mile 
to traverse before the sheltering mountains could be 
reached. 

At first they walked rapidly and in silence, one 
behind the other — Mark leading — but as time 
passed, and the danger of being overtaken de- 
creased, they fell more into line and began to talk 
of their plans and prospects. 

Of course they thought about the Eastern Star, 
and the possibility of her hanging about the coast 
in the hope of picking them up ; but as there was 
no certainty upon that point, and a return to the 
coast would be like rushing into the very jaws of 
the lion from which they were fleeing, they soon 
dismissed the idea as untenable. 

“Now then, the question is, sir. Wot are we 
agoin’ for to do ?” said Hockins. 

“ Ay, dat ’s de question,” added Ebony with much 
force, and more than Shakspearean brevity. 

“Well now, lads,” said Mark, “I’ve been think- 


28 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


ing over that, and it seems to me that there ’s not 
much to choose between. Unfortunately, I know 
uncommonly little about this island — not that my 
geographical education has been neglected, but the 
class-books I have used did not give much informa- 
tion about Madagascar. I know, however, that the 
Mozambique Channel, which divides us from 
Africa, is a little too wide to swim. I also know 
that there is a capital somewhere near the middle of 
the island, the name of which begins with an ^ Ant,* 
and ends with a ‘rivo.* There are some syllables 
between, I believe, but how many, is more than I 
can tell. There ’s a government in it, however, and 
a queen, and some Christian missionaries. Now, it 
strikes me that where there ’s a government, a queen, 
and Christian missionaries, there must be more or less 
of civilisation and safety, so I would advise that we 
make straight for the capital.” 

“Eight you are, sir,” said Hockins. “ As I know 
nothin’ whotsomever about the place, I ’ll take my 
sailin’ orders from you, captain, an’ steer a straight 
course for Anty-whatever-she-is-arivo, where I hope 
we’ll arrive 0! — ‘all alive 0 !’ in the course o’ 
time. What say you. Ebony ?” 

“ I ’s agreeable ; don’t care much for nuffin when 
it don’t trouble me. But I ’s gettin’ awrful hungry, 
an’ I don’t see nuffin to eat in dis yer forest — not 
even fruit — dough it ’s pritty enough to look at.” 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


29 


The scenery through which they were passing at 
the time was indeed more than pretty. It was 
gorgeous, and would certainly have claimed more 
attention from the travellers had they been less 
anxious to advance, and, perhaps, less hungry. 

By that time — near mid-day — they had got 
through the densest part of the woods, and were 
come to a part where occasional openings in the 
foliage lighted them up. They had also discovered 
a narrow track or footpath, which they gladly 
followed; for although by so doing they ran the 
risk of coming suddenly upon natives, who might be 
foes just as well as friends, the comparative ease of 
travelling was too great to be neglected. This path 
struck over hill and down dale in a somewhat 
dogged and straightforward manner, scorning to go 
round hillocks, save when too precipitous for un- 
winged animals. At times it wound in and out 
among trees of great beauty and variety, and of 
tropical aspect. Elsewhere it plunged into denser 
stretches of forest, where the profusion of vegetable 
life was extraordinary — here, a dense undergrowth 
of shrubs, tree-ferns, and dwarf-palms ; there, trees of 
higher growth, and, shooting high above them all, 
the slender trunks of many varieties of palms, whose 
graceful crowns and feathery leaves were pictured 
vividly on the blue sky. Elsewhere, innumerable 
creeping plants interlaced the branches, producing 


30 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


a wild and beautiful net-work, their tendrils crossing 
in all directions, and producing a green twilight in 
places. The whole was enriched by orchids, the 
abundant pink and white wax-like flowers of which 
contrasted well with other wild-flowers innumerable, 
and with many large and gorgeous flowering trees. 

Different species of bamboos gave quite a peculiar 
aspect to the scenery in some places, and still 
greater variety was secured by long pendant masses 
of feathery grey moss and lichens. Some of the 
trees were of enormous height; one palm, with a 
straight stem, in particular, being estimated as not 
less than a hundred feet high to the spot where the 
leaves sprouted. 

“ ’Tis a perfect paradise ! ” exclaimed Mark, stop- 
ping suddenly and looking around with admiration. 

‘^Yes, massa,” murmured Ebony, with solemn 
looks, “if dere was on'y a few wegibles — cooked! 
Flowers is all bery well to look at, but we can’t 
heat him.” 

“Well, if we can’t eat, we can, at all events, 
sleep,” returned Mark. “I believe it is usually 
thought wise in tropical countries to cease work 
and rest about noon, so, as I feel rather tired, I T1 
have a snooze. What say you ?” 

No objection being made, the party again climbed 
into the branches of a low spreading tree, in order 
to avoid snakes, scorpions, or any other noxious 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 31 

creatures, though they knew not at the time whether 
such existed on the island. In less than five 
minutes they were sound asleep. 

Awaking after about two hours’ repose, they de- 
scended, wished for something to eat, sighed, put 
a bold heart on it, tightened their belts to suit 
diminishing waists, and continued their journey. 

Perseverance is sure to be rewarded. If that is 
not a proverb, it ought to be ! At all events the 
perseverance of our travellers was rewarded at this 
time by their coming suddenly out of the woods 
into a wide grassy plain on which was browsing a 
herd of wild cattle — at least they judged them to be 
wild from the fact of their being discovered in such 
a wild place, and resolved to treat them as wild 
because of the wolves” inside of them, which 
clamoured so wildly for food. 

^‘Beef!” exclaimed Hockins in some excitement, 
as he pointed to the animal nearest to them, which 
happened to be a black, sleek, fat young bull, with 
slender limbs and fierce eyes. 

‘^Neber mind the wegibles, massa; shot ’im!” 
exclaimed Ebony in an excited whisper, as he 
turned his glaring eyeballs on his leader. 

“ Hush ! don’t speak,” returned Mark, drawing 
quietly back into cover — for the animal had not 
observed them. ‘‘We must consult what is to be 
done, because, you know, we have lost our powder- 


32 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


flask, the two charges in my gun are all I have got, 
and these are only small shot — I have no bullets ! ” 

Grave concern overspread the face of the sturdy 
seaman — blank dismay that of the sea-cook ! 

“ Might as well blaze at the beast wi’ sand,” said 
Hockins. 

“ Or wid nuffin ! ” sighed Ebony. 

“Nevertheless, I will try,” said Mark, quickly. 
“We shall be starved to death at this rate. Yonder 
is a line of bushes that runs close out to the brute. 
I ’ll stalk it. When close I will make a dash at it, 
get as near as I can, clap the muzzle against its 

ribs if possible, and well, we shall see ! You 

two had better stop here and look on.” 

“No, massa,” said the negro, firmly, “I go wid 
you. If you is to die, we die togidder ! ” 

“ What are you thinking of, Hockins ? ” asked the 
youth, observing that the seaman stood staring 
at the ground with knitted brows, as if in deep 
thought. 

“I’ll go with you too,” he replied, drawing his 
cutlass and feeling its point with his finger. “ You 
may need help. Heave a-head, sir.” 

Mark could not avoid smiling at the way in which 
this was said, although he was sufficiently impressed 
with the hopelessness, it might even be the danger, 
of the attempt he was about to make. 

They found no difficulty in approaching to within 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


33 


about thirty yards of the animal, being well con- 
cealed by the line of bushes before mentioned, but 
beyond that point there was no cover. Here there- 
fore Mark cocked his gun and gathered himself up 
for a rush, and Hockins drew his cutlass. So agile 
was our young doctor that he actually reduced the 
thirty yards to ten before the astonished bull turned 
to fly. Another moment and the contents of both 
barrels were lodged in its flank. The effect was to 
produce a bellow of rage, a toss-up of the hind- 
quarters, and a wild flourish of the tail, as the animal 
scurried away after the rest of the herd, which was 
in full flight. 

Poor Breezy stopped at once, with a feeling of 
mingled disgust and despair. Ebony also stopped, 
and looked with wide sympathetic eyes in his leader’s 
face, as though to say, ‘"Well, massa, you’s done 
your best.” 

But Hockins ran on with persistent vigour, 
although the creature was leaving him further 
behind at every stride. 

“ Absurd ! ” murmured Mark, as he gazed at him. 

“Ho use wassomver,’'^sSi Ebony. 

It did indeed seem as if the seaman’s exertions 
would prove abortive, but something in the spirit 
of the wounded bull suddenly changed the aspect 
of affairs. Whether it was the stinging pain of the 
small shot in its flank, or the indignation in its 
c 


34 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


breast that influenced it we cannot tell, but in a 
moment it wheeled round with a furious roar and 
charged its pursuer. 

Hockins stopped at once, and his comrades fully 
expected to see him turn and run ; but our seaman 
was made of better stuff than they gave him credit 
for, and the situation was not so new to him as they 
imagined. In the course of his voyaging to many 
lands, Hockins had been to a bull-fight in South 
America. He had seen with fascination and some 
surprise the risks run by the footmen in the arena ; 
he had ‘beheld with mingled . anger and disgust the 
action of the picadors, who allowed their poor horses 
to be gored to death by the infuriated bulls ; and he 
had watched with thrilling anxiety, not unmingled 
with admiration, the cool courage of the matadors, 
as they calmly stood up to the maddened and charg- 
ing bulls and received them on the points of their 
swords, stepping lightly aside at the same moment 
so as to avoid the dangerous horns. 

The seaman’s purpose now was to act the part of 
a matador. He knew that he possessed coolness 
and nerve sufficient for the deed; he hoped that he 
had the skill ; he felt that hunger could no longer 
remain unsatisfied ; he feared that death by starva- 
tion might be the lot pf himself and his companions, 
and he preferred to rheet death in action — if meet 
it he must. All things considered, he resolved to 





AN AMATEUR MATADOR.— Page 35 



THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 35 

face the bovine thunderbolt with unflinching front, 
like a true-blue British tar ! 

His coolness in the circumstances was evinced 
by the remarks muttered to himself in a growly tone 
as the bull approached. 

“ Three futt — that ’ll be enough. I don’t rightly 
remember how near them mattydoors let him come 
before they putt their helm» hard down an’ let him 
go by, but I think three futt ’ll do.” 

This decision was barely reached when the bull 
was upon him with lowered head and erect tail. It 
was an awful rush, but Hockins stood like a rock 
with the cutlass pointed. At the pre-arranged 
moment he stepped to one side, but instead of letting 
the momentum of the animal do the work, he could 
not resist the impulse to drive the cutlass deeper 
into the bull’s neck. The result was that, though 
he escaped the creature’s horn by a very narrow 
shave, the cutlass was wrenched violently from his 
grasp, and he was sent head over heels upon the 
plain ! 

Seeing this, Mark and the negro ran to the rescue, 
the one howling like a maniac, the other clubbing 
his gun ; but their aid was not required, for the work 
of the amateur matador had been effectively done. 
After receiving the deadly- thrust the bull plunged 
forward a few paces, and then fell dying upon the 
ground, while Hockins got up and began to feel 


36 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


himself all over to make sure that no bones were 
broken. 

It need scarcely be told that they rejoiced greatly 
over their success, and that they cut off some of the 
flesh immediately, with which they returned to the 
forest to enjoy a much-needed meal. 

“We must kindle a fire now,” said Mark, stopping 
at an open space in the midst of a very secluded 
spot at the foot of a magnificent palm-tree. “ You 
see I’m not prepared to act like a cannibal or 
Eskimo, and eat the meat raw.” 

“There won’t be much fear now,” said Hockins, 
“ especially if we make the fire of dry wood an’ keep 
it small. Just look at that, Doctor.” 

He held out his cutlass for inspection. It had 
been seriously bent in the recent encounter. 

“ Aint that a cryin’ shame to the owners, now, to 
send us poor fellows to the eastern seas, where we 
may meet pirates any day, with tin cutlashes like 
that.” 

“ You kin put him straight de next bull you kills,” 
said Ebony, as he prepared some touchwood; “you’ve 
on’y got to stick ’im on the left side an’ he ’ll twis’ 
it all right. Now, massa, I ’s ready, bring de gun 
an’ snap de flints ober dat.” 

While Hockins straightened his weapon between 
the branches of a tree, his comrades managed to 
capture a spark in a mass of dry combustibles. 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


37 


which soon burst into a flame. As the seaman had 
recommended, only the driest wood was used, and 
just enough of that to enable them to half-roast 
what food they required. Then they returned to 
the carcass of the bull, and cut off a large quantity 
of meat, using the cutlass as well as their clasp- 
knives in the operation. 

“ Cut the meat in thin slices,’^ said Mark Breezy, 
when they began this work. 

“Why you so 'ticklar, massa?” asked Ebony. 
“ I ’s fond 0* t’ick slices — w’en him ’s not too tough.” 

“ Because then we can dry the meat in the sun or 
over a slow fire, and so be able to keep it longer 
without spoiling. We must spend the night here 
for the purpose, and perhaps part of to-morrow. 
— Why, Hockins, what are you about ? ” 

“ Makin’ a pair o* shoes, sir ; you see them old 
dancin’ pumps as I left the ship with wouldn’t hold 
out another day o’ this rough travellin’, so I’m 
makin’ a noo pair of shoes when I’ve got the 
chance.” 

“ They will be a primitive pair,” observed Mark. 

“ If that means a good pair, you ’re right, sir. They 
are after the pattern first made by Adam for Eve — 
leas’wise it ’s supposed her first pair o’ dancin’ pumps 
was made this fashion. I ’ll make a sim’lar pair for 
you, sir, w’en your boots give out.” 

In case the reader should ever be reduced to 


38 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


extremities in the matter of foot-gear we may explain 
the seaman’s method. 

Selecting what he believed to be the thickest part 
of the bull’s hide, he cut off a small portion about 
eighteen inches square. Spreading this on the 
ground with the hair upwards, he planted his naked 
foot on it and marked the shape thereon. Then 
with his knife he cut away the hide all round the 
foot-mark at four inches or so from the outline of 
the foot. Next, he bored little holes all round the 
margin, through which he ran a line, or lace, also 
made of raw hide. Then, planting his foot again in 
the middle of the hide, he drew the line tight, 
causing the edges to rise all round the foot and 
almost cover it. 

“ There you are, sir,” he said, stretching out his 
limb and admiring the contrivance ; “ rough-an’- 
ready, you see, but soon finished. It ain’t recorded 
in ancient history what Eve said when Adam 
presented her wi’ the little testimonial of his affec- 
tion, but if I might ventur’ a guess I should opine 
that she said ‘ puckery.’ ” 

“Hm! Dey ain’t a tight fit,” observed Ebony. 
“ I ’s ob opinion dat your corns are quite safe in 
’em.” 

Having completed his shoemaking work, the 
ingenious seaman assisted his companions to pre- 
pare the dried meat, which they afterwards tied up 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


39 


in three convenient little parcels to be slung on 
their backs. 

That night they found a more commodious tree 
to sleep in. Under the pleasant influence of a good 
supper they enjoyed unbroken rest, and awoke the 
following morning greatly refreshed. They were 
thus, both physically and mentally, prepared for the 
events of that day, to which, as they afterwards had 
a most important bearing on their fortunes in the 
island, we will devote a separate chapter. 


40 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


CHAPTER IV. 

THE DOCTOE FINDS UNEXPECTED WORK IN THE WILDERNESS, AND 
A MYSTERIOUS STRANGER IS INTRODUCED. 

It has been said that the travellers — for we 
cannot now appropriately style them fugitives — had 
reached a more open country, and that Hockins’s 
fight with the wild buU had taken place on the 
margin of a wide grassy plain. 

This plain, however, was limited. In front of 
them the scenery was undulating and beautifully 
varied — almost parklike in its character, and only 
in one direction — to the right — did it extend like a 
sea of waving grass to the horizon. Behind them 
lay the dense forest through which they had passed. 
The forest also curved round to their left, and 
stretched away on, apparently unbroken, to still 
far-off mountains. 

After they had breakfasted, packed their dried 
meat, and sallied forth on the journey of another 
day, they walked in silence until they reached the 
edge of the plain, where there was room to walk 
abreast 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


41 


" ]N’ow, comrades,” said Mark Breezy, “ we will go 
to the top of yon mound, see how the land lies, and 
hold a council of war.” 

“ Just so, cap’n ; take our bearin's an' lay our 
course,” assented Hockins. 

They soon reached the spot, and found the view 
from it unexpectedly beautiful. The whole land- 
scape was clothed with tropical verdure. Past the 
foot of the mound ran a considerable stream, which 
opened out into a series of lakelets in the hollows 
beyond, the waters of which seemed to be the home 
of considerable numbers of wild-fowl, — but there was 
no sign of the presence of man. 

“ Strange,” said Mark, in a low voice, “ that such 
a lovely scene should have been created a solitude, 
with no one to profit by or enjoy it.” 

“Well now, sir,” remarked the sailor, “d’ee know 
that same thought has puzzled me now an' again ; 
for although my purfession is the sea, I 've travelled 
a good bit on the land — specially in South America 
— and I 've seen miles on miles o' splendid country, 
that made me think of Adam an' Eve in paradise, 
with never a soul, as you say, to make use of or 
enjoy it. I 've often wondered what it was all made 
for!” 

“Don't you tink,” said Ebony, with his head a 
little on one side, and his earnest eyes betraying the 
sincerity of his nature, “ don't you tink dat p’r’aps 


42 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


de ducks an’ geese, an’ sitch-like, makes use ob an’ 
enjoys it ? to say nuffin ob de beasts, hinsects, an’ 
fishes.” 

“You may be right. Ebony,” returned Hockins, 
with an approving nod ; “ we human bein’s is apt to 
think too much of ourselves. Moreover, it has pome 
into my mind that Great Britain was a sontood 
once — or much about it — an’ it ’s anything but that 
now ; so mayhap them lands will be swarmin’ wi’ 
towns an’ villages some day or other. What d’ee 
think. Doctor ?” 

But the young doctor said nothing, for while his 
companions were thus indulging in speculations, he 
was anxiously considering what course they should 
pursue. 

“You see, comrades,” he said, turning to them 
abruptly, “ if we go to the right and traverse this 
fine country we may very likely fall in with villages, 
but the villagers may be savages, like those we met 
on the coast. On the other hand, if we go to the 
left, we shall have to traverse the somewhat dark 
and difficult forests, but then we shall be making 
for the mountains and table-lands of the interior; 
and as the capital. Ant — Ant — ” 

“ Anty-all-alive-0 ! ” suggested Hockins. 

“ No, ’s not dat. It ends wid * arrive 0 !’ w’ich is 
just what we wants.” 

“Well, whatever may be its name, I know that it 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 43 

is in the centre of the island somewhere, and the 
centre of any land always means the mountains ; so 
I think we had better decide to go to the left, and — ” 
Hallo ! look yonder, sir,” said Hockins, pointing 
towards a low cliff which rose in front of them not 
a quarter of a mile from the spot where they stood. 

Turning in the direction indicated, they observed 
a . man running swiftly, as if in pursuit of something. 
They could see that he was clothed, and that he 
carried several spears, from which they judged that 
he was a hunter. Coming to the foot of the cliff 
before mentioned, the man ascended the face of it 
with wonderful agility, and had almost gained the 
top, when a treacherous root or stone gave way, 
causing him to lose his hold and roll violently to 
the bottom. 

“ Poor fellow, he ’s killed ! ” cried Mark, running 
towards the fallen hunter, who lay on the ground 
motionless. 

He was not killed, however, though stunned and 
bleeding profusely from a deep wound in the arm, 
caused by one of his own spears while in the act of 
falling. When the three strangers suddenly appeared 
the hunter grasped one of the spears and made a 
vigorous attempt to rise, evidently under the im- 
pression that he was about to be attacked ; but the 
fall and the loss of blood were too much for him. 
He sank back with a groan, yet there was a look of 


44 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


quiet dignity about him which showed that he gave 
way to no craven spirit. 

Our young doctor, kneeling down beside him, 
proceeded at once to staunch the wound and bind 
up the arm with his pocket-handkerchief. While 
he was thus engaged, Hockins brought some water 
from a neighbouring stream in a cup which he had 
extemporised out of a piece of bark, and applied it 
to the man’s lips. Ebony stood by, with a look of 
profound pity on his face, ready for whatever might 
be required of him. 

The hunter showed by the expression of his hand- 
some brown features that he was grateful for these 
attentions. Yet, at the same time, there seemed to 
be something of* perplexity, if not surprise, in his 
looks as he gazed on the white men’s faces. But he 
did not utter a word. When the dressing of the 
arm was completed — of course in a most business- 
like manner — he again attempted to rise, but was so 
weak from loss of blood that he fell back fainting in 
the Doctor’s arms. 

“ This is a most awkward business,” said Mark, 
as he laid the man carefully on the ground, and put 
a bundle of grass under his head for a pillow. “ It 
behoves us to push on our journey without delay, 
yet it will never do to leave him here alone, and we 
can’t very well take him on with us. What is to 
be done ? ” 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 45 

Both Hockins and the negro looked their incapacity 
to answer that question. Just then the answer came 
in the form they least expected, for a sound of many 
voices in clamorous talk suddenly broke on their 
ears. The speakers, whoever they might be, were 
still distant, and the formation of the ground pre- 
vented our travellers being seen by them. 

“ Savages ! ” exclaimed Mark and Hockins in the 
same breath. 

“ Hide ! ” cried Ebony, with a roll of his huge eyes, 
as he suited the action to the word, and leaped into 
the bushes. The others followed his example, and 
running about a hundred yards back into the woods, 
climbed into the branches of a lofty tree, from which 
outlook, well screened by leaves, they saw a-band 
composed of some -hundreds of -- natives walking 
smartly over the open plain. Erom the manner of 
their approach it was evident that they searched for 
some one, and as they made straight for the cliff 
where the wounded man lay, it seemed probable that 
they were following up his trail. 

“We ’re done for,” said Mark, in a tone of despair, 
as he noted this. 

“ Why d’ee think so. Doctor ? ” asked Hockins, who 
did not by any means seem to take such a gloomy 
view of their case. 

“ Don’t you see ? Savages can follow up people’s 
trails almost as well as dogs. They ’ll easily trace 


46 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


US to the foot of this tree by our footprints, and 
then they Ve only to look up ! ” 

“ That ’s true. I had forgotten that.” 

“ Dere ’s time to drop down yit, massa, and squati- 
late,” suggested the negro, excitedly. 

Mark shook his head. 

“ Might as well try to run from tigers as from 
savages,” he returned, “ unless you Ve got a good 
start.” 

“ But they ain’t all savages, sir,” whispered Hock- 
ins, as the band drew nearer. “ Some o’ the naked 
black fellows look savage enough, no doubt, but 
there ’s a lot of ’em lightish brown in the skin, an’ 
clothed in fine though queer garments. They carry 
themselves, too, like/gentlemen. P’r’aps we ’d better 
go for’ard an’ trust them.” 

“ Trust to ’em, ’Ockins ! ” said Ebony with a 
decided shake of the head, trust men wid hrown 
faces ? Nebber ! ” 

The whispered conversation ceased at this point, 
for a loud shout of surprise mingled with alarm was 
raised as the band came to the foot of the cliff and 
found what appeared to be the dead body of the 
wounded man. Evidently they were friends, for 
while some of them kneeled down beside the injured 
hunter to examine him, others gave way to gestures 
and exclamations of grief. 

Presently the watchers observed that one of those 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 47 

who kneeled beside the body looked up with a smile 
and a nod ot satisfaction as he pointed to his chest. 

“ They Ve discovered that he ’s not dead,” said 
Mark. 

“Yes, massa, an’ dey’ve diskivered de -bandaged 
arm.” • 

“Ay, an’M.it seems to puzzle ’em,” added the 
seaman. 

It did more than puzzle them. They had not 
observed it at first, because, just before running into 
the woods, Mark had covered it with a loose shawl 
— a sort of linen plaid — which the man had worn 
round his shoulders. When they removed this and 
saw the bandage which was wound round the limb 
in the most careful and perfect manner, they looked 
at each other in great - surprise ; then they looked 
solemn and spoke in low tones, glancing round 
now and then with saucer-like eyes, as if they 
expected to see something-frightful 

“ I do believe. Doctor,” whispered the seaman, 
“that they think your ^ work has been done by a 
goblin, of some sort!” 

It would indeed seem as if some such idea had 
entered the minds of the band, for instead of exam- 
ining the ground for footprints and following them 
up — as was natural to have done — they silently con- 
structed a litter of branches, covered it with some 
of their garments, and quietly bore the wounded and 


48 THE FUGITIVES, OR 

still unconscious man away in the direction of the 
plains. 

With thankful hearts our travellers slid to the 
ground, and hurried off in the opposite direction 
towards the mountains. 

That night they came to a deeply-shaded and 
rugged piece of ground in the heart of the forest 
where there were caverns of various sizes. Here 
the solitude seemed to be so profound that the fear 
of pursuit gradually left them, so they resolved to 
kindle a cheerful fire in one of the caves, cook a 
good supper, and enjoy themselves. Finding a cave 
that was small, dry, and well concealed, they soon 
had a bright fire blazing in it, round which they sat 
on a soft pile of branches — Mark and Hockins look- 
ing on with profound interest and expectation while 
the negro prepared supper. 

“ If I only had a quid o’ baccy now,” said Hockins, 
“ I ’d be as happy as a king.” 

I have the advantage of you, friend, for I am as 
happy as a king without it,” said the young doctor. 

'‘Well, there’s no denyin’,” returned the seaman, 
“ that you have the advantage o’ me ; but if I only 
had the baccy I ’d enjoy my disadvantage. P’r’aps 
there ’s a bit left in some corner o’ ” 

He plunged his hands into each pocket in his 
garments, one after another, but without success 
until he came to the left breast-pocket of his coat. 


THE TYEANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 49 

When he had searched that to its deepest recesses 
he stopped and looked up with a beaming counten- 
ance. 

“ Ho ! got ’im 1 ” asked Ebony, with interest. 

Hockins did not reply, but, slowly and tenderly, 
drew forth — not a quid, but — a little piece of brown 
wood about five or six inches long. 

“ A penny whistle ! ” exclaimed Mark. 

“Speak with reverence. Doctor,” returned the 
sailor, with a quiet smile, “ it ain’t a penny whistle, 
it’s a flageolet. I stuck it here the last time I was 
amoosin’ the crew o’ the Eastern Star an’ forgot I 
hadn’t putt it away. Wait a bit, you shall hear.” 

Saying this Hockins put the tiny instrument to 
his lips, and drew from it sounds so sweet, so soft, 
so melodious and tuneful, that his companions 
seemed to listen in a trance of delight, with eyes as 
well as with ears ! 

“ Splendid ! ” exclaimed Mark, enthusiastically, 
when the sailor ceased to play. “ Why, Hockins, I 
had no idea you could play like that ! Of course I 
knew that you possessed musical powers to some 
extent, for I have heard the tooting of your flageo- 
let through the bulkheads when at sea ; but two or 
three inches of plank don’t improve sweet sounds, I 
suppose.” 

“ Ho ! massa, didn’t I tell you free or four times 
dat he play mos’ awrful well ? ” 

D 


50 


THE FUGITIVES, OU 


“ True, Ebony, so you did ; but I used to think 
your energetic praise was due to your enthusiastic 
disposition, and so paid no attention to your invita- 
tions to go for’ard an’ listen. Well, I confess I was 
a loser. You must have played the instrument a 
long time, surely ? ” — turning to the seaman. 

“ Yes, ever since I was a small boy. My father 
played it before me, and taught me how to finger it. 
He was a splendid player. He used sometimes to go 
to the back of the door when we had a small blow- 
out, an’ astonish the company by playin’ up unex- 
pectedly. He was great at Scotch tunes — specially 
the slow ones, like this.” 

He put the little instrument to his lips again, and 
let it nestle, as it were, in his voluminous beard, as 
he drew from it the pathetic strains of “ Wanderin’ 
Willie,” to the evidently intense enjoyment of 
Ebony, who regarded music as one of the chief joys 
of life — next, perhaps, to cooking ! 

But Mark and Ebony were not the only listeners 
to that sweet strain. Just outside the mouth of the 
cave there stood a- man, who, to judge from the 
expression of his face, was as much affected by the 
music as the negro. Though he stood in such a 
position as to be effectually screened from the view 
of those within, a gleam of reflected light fell upon 
his figure, showing him to be a tall, handsome man 
in the prime of life. He was clothed in what may 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


51 


be styled a mixed European and native costume, 
and a gun on which he rested both hands seemed to 
indicate him a hunter. He carried no other weapon, 
except a long knife in his girdle. The mixed 
character of his garb extended also to his blood, 
for his skin, though dark and bronzed from exposure, 
was much lighter than that of most natives of the 
island, and his features were distinctly European. 
Quiet gravity was the chief characteristic of his 
countenance, and there was also an expression of 
profound ^sadness or pathos, which was probably 
caused by the music. 

When Hockins finished his tune the three friends 
were almost petrified with astonishment — not un- 
mingled with alarm-^as they beheld this man walk 
coolly into the cave, rest his gun on the side of it, 
and sit gravely down on the opposite side of the fire. 

The first impulse of our three friends, of course, 
was to spring up, but tha action of the man was so 
prompt, and, withal, so^ peaceful, that they were 
constrained to sit. still. 

“ Don’t be alarmed. I come as eufriend. May I 
sit by your fire ?” 

He spoke in good English, though with a decidedly 
foreign accent. 

“You are ^welcome, since you come as a friend,” 
said Mark, “ though I must add that you have taken 
us by^urprise.” 


52 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


“Well now, stranger,” said Hockins, putting his 
musical instrument in his pocket, “ how are we to 
know that you are a friend — except by the cut o* 
your jib, which, I admit, looks honest enough, and 
your actions, which, we can’t deny, are peaceable 
like r 

The seaman put this question with a half-per- 
plexed, half-amused air. The stranger received it 
without the slightest change in his grave aspect. 

“You have no other means of knowing,” he 
replied, “except by my ‘jib’ and my actions.” 

“ Dat ’s a fact, anyhow,” murmured Ebony. 

“Who are. you, and where do you come from ?” 
asked Mark. 

“ I am an. outlaw, and I come from the forest.” 

“ That ’s plain-speakin’, an’ no mistake,” said 
Hockins, with a laugh, “an’ deserves as plain a 
return. We can’t say exactly that we are outlaws, 
but we are out-an-outers, an’ we ’re going through 
the forest to — to — Anty-all-alive-0 ! or some such 
name — the capital, you know — ” 

“ Antananarivo,” suggested the outlaw. 

“ That ’s it ! That ’s the name I couldn’t recall,” 
said Mark, quickly. “We are going there, if we 
can only find the way.” 

“ I know the way,” returned the outlaw, “ and my 
reason for coming here is to offer to show it you.” 

“Indeed! But how came you to know our in- 


THE TYEANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


53 


tentions, and what makes yon take so much interest 
in ns ?” asked Mark, with a look of suspicion. 

“ My reason for being interested in you,’" returned 
the stranger, ‘‘is a matter with which you have 
nothing to do. How I came to know your inten- 
tions it is easy to explain, for I have ^followed you 
from^the sea-coast step by step. I saw you escape 
from the - savages, saw you. frightened out of the 
cave by my friends the .outlaws, who dwell in it, 
followed you while you traversed the forest, listened 
to your conversations, witnessed your- exploit with 
the bull, and .observed you when you helped and 
bandaged the wounded native.” 

It would be difficult to describe the looks or 
feelings with which the three friends .received this 
information. Ebony’s eyes alone would have taken 
at least half-an-hour of the pencil to portray. 

“But — but-^why ?” stammered Mark. 

“Never mind the why,” continued the outlaw, 
with a pleasant look. “You see that I know all 
about you — at least- since yoiL landed — and I also 
know that you have _been several times in unseen 
danger, from which I have shielded you. Now, you 
have .arrived at a part of the forest which is swarm- 
ing with brigands, into whose hands you are. sure to 
fall unless I am with you. I therefore come to 
offer myself as your guide. Will you. have me ?” 

“It seems to, me,” returned Mark, with something 


54 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


of scorn in his tone, “ that we have no choice, for 
you have us at your mercy — we cannot refuse. I 
suppose you are the brigand chief, and are guarding 
us for some sinister purpose of your own.” 

“ I said not that I was a brigand,” returned the 
stranger, quietly ; “ I said I was an^ outlaw. What 
else I am, and my motives of action, I choose not to 
tell. You say truly — I have you in my power. 
That is one reason why I would befriend you, if you 
will trust me.” The outlaw rose up as he spoke. 

There was such an air of quiet dignity and 
evident -sincerity in the man that Mark was strongly 
impressed. Eising promptly, he. stretched his hand 
across the fire, saying, ‘‘ We will trust you, friend, 
even though we were not in your power.” 

The outlaw grasped the youth’a hand with a 
gratified look. 

“ Now,” he added, as he took up his gun, “ I will 
go. In the morning at daybreak I will return. 
Sleep well till then.” 

With something like a courtly salute, the mys- 
terious stranger left them, and disappeared into the 
depths of the forest. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


55 


CHAPTEE V. 

THE outlaw’s friends. THREATENED DANGER CURIOUSLY 
AVERTED. 

As might be supposed, the unexpected appearance 
of the outlaw, as well as his sudden departure, 
tended somewhat to interfere with the sleep which 
he had wished the travellers at parting, and the 
night was far advanced before they grew tired of 
wondering who he could be, speculating as to where 
he came from, and commenting on his personal 
appearance. In short, at the close of their discourse, 
they came to the conclusion which was well 
embodied in the remark of Ebony, when he said, 
“ It 's my .opinion, founded on obsarvashun, dat if 
we was to talk an. tink de . whole night long we 
would come no nearer de troot, so I’ll turn in.” 

He did turn in accordingly, and, after exhausting 
the regions of conjecture, the powers of speculation, 
and the realms of fancy, Mark and Hockins 
followed his example. 

One consequence of their mental dissipation was 


56 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


that they slept rather beyond the hour of day -break, 
and the first thing that recalled the two white 
men to consciousness was the voice of their black 
comrade exclaiming : — 

Ho ! hi ! hallo ! I. smells a smell ! ” 

They lifted their three heads simultaneously and 
beheld the . outlaw sitting calmly beside the fire 
roasting steaks. 

For the first time the mysterious stranger, smiled 
— and it was a peculiarly sweet half-grave sort of 
attractive smile, as far removed from the fiendish 
grin of the stage bandit asmight is from day. 

“ I knew you would be hungry, and. guessed you 
would be sleepy,” he, said, in a deep musical voice, 
“ so I have prepared breakfast. Are you ready ? ” 
“Eeady !” repeated Hockins, rising with a mighty 
yawn, and stretching himself, as was his wont ; “ I 
just think we are. Leastwise I am. Good luck to 
ee Mister Outlaw, what have ee got there ? ” 

Beef, marrow-bones, and rice,” replied the man. 
“You may call me Samuel if you like. It was my 
father’s first name, but I’m best known among my 
friends as Eavoninohitriniony.” 

“ Well, that is a jawbreaker !” exclaimed Hockins, 
with a laugh, as they aU sat down to breakfast. 
“ Ea-vo- what did ee say 'i ” 

“ Better not try it till arter breakfast,” suggested 
Ebony. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 57 

“ Couldn ’t we shorten it a bit ? ” said Mark, 
beginning to consult a marrow-bone. ‘‘What say 
you to the first half — Eavonino ? ” 

“As you. please,” replied the outlaw, who was 
already too much absorbed with steaks to look up. 

“Not a bad notion,” said Hockins. “Sam’l 
Eavonino — I’ve heerd wus; anyhow it’s better 
than the entire complication — eh. Ebony ?” 

“Mush better,” assented the negro; “dere’s no 
use wotsomediver for de hitri — hitri-folderol-ony bit 
of it. Now, ’Ockins, fair play wid de marrow-bones. 
Hand me anoder.” 

“ Is it far, Mr. Eavonino,” asked Mark, “ from 
here to the capital — to Antananarivo ? ” 

“ You cleared ’im that time. Doctor ! ” murmured 
Hockins, wiping his mouth with a bunch of grass 
which he carried as a substitute for a pocket 
handkerchief. 

“Yes, it is a long way,” said the outlaw; “many 
days’ journey over mountain and plain.” 

“And are you going to guide us all the way 
there ? ” 

“ No, not all the way. You forget I am an 
outlaw. It would cost me my life if I were to 
appear in Antananarivo.” 

Mark was on the point of asking why, but, 
remembering the rebuff of the previous night, for- 
bore to put questions relative to his new friend’s 


58 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


personal affairs. Indeed he soon found that it was 
useless to do so, for whenever he approached the 
subject Eavonino became so abstracted and deaf that 
no reply could be drawn from him. As if to compen- 
sate for this, however, the man was exceedingly com- 
municative in regard to all other subjects, and there 
was a quiet urbanity in his manner which rendered 
his conversation exceedingly attractive. Moreover, 
to the surprise of Mark, this mysterious stranger 
gave evidence of a considerable amount of education. 
He also gratified Hockins by his evident- delight in 
the Jageolet, and his appreciation of nautical 
stories and “ lingo,” while he quite won the heart of 
Ebony by treating him with the same deference 
which he accorded to his . companions. In short, 
each of our travellers congratulated himself not a 
little on this pleasant acquisition to the party — the 
only drawback to their satisfaction being their 
inability to reconcile the existence of such good 
qualities with the condition of an outlaw ! 

“ However,” remarked Hockins, after a long talk 
with his comrades on this subject when Eavonino 
was absent, “ it ’s none of our business what he 's bin 
an done to other people. What we’ve got to do 
with is the way he behaves to us, d’ee see ? ” 

“He’s a trump,” said Ebony, with a nod of 
decision. 

“ I agree with you,” said Mark ; “ and I only wish 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


59 


he was a little more communicative about himself. 
However, we must take him as we find him, and try 
to win his confidence.” 

During the whole of that first day their guide 
conducted them through such intricate and evidently 
unfrequented parts of the forest that their advance 
was comparatively slow and toilsome, hut, being 
young and strong and well-fed, they did not mind 
that. In fact Mark Breezy enjoyed it, for the 
wilder and more tangled the scenery was through 
which they forced their way, the more did it accord 
with the feelings of romance which filled him, and 
the thought of being guided through the woods 
too by an outlaw tended rather to increase his 
satisfaction. 

“ Are all the roads in your island as bad as these ?” 
he asked, after plumping up to the knees in a 
quagmire, out of which he scrambled with difficulty. 

“ Ho, many of them are worse and some better,” 
answered the guide; ‘‘but I ^ keep away from them, 
because the* Queen’s soldiers and spies are hunting 
about the land just now.” 

“ Oho ! ” thought Mark, “ I begin to see ; you are 
a rebel.” Then, aloud, “Your country, then, is 
governed by a queen ? ” 

“ Misgoverned,’'^returned Eavonino in a tone of 
bitterness, which, however, he evidently tried to 
restrain. 


60 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Fearing to tread again on forbidden ground, 
Mark forbore to put questions about the guide’s 
objections to his queen, but simply asked her name, 
and if she had reigned long. 

“ Her name,” said Eavonino, “ is Eanavalona. 
She has reigned for- twenty-seven years — twenty- 
seven long and weary years! I was a little boy 
when she usurped the throne. How my sun has 
reached its meridian, yet she is still there, a blight 
upon the land. But God knows what is best. He 
cannot err.” 

This was the first, reference that Eavonino had 
made to the. Creator, and Mark was about to push 
his inquiries further, when a confused . sound of 
voices was heard not far in advance of them. 

Eavonino, who had been walking with an easy 
nonchalant, air ahead of the party, on a very narrow 
footpath, suddenly stopped to listen with a look of 
anxiety. A moment later and he entered the bush 
that fringed the path and overhung it. 

“ Come,” he said in a low voice, “ follow me, 
close 1 ” 

Without a word of explanation he strode into the 
dense undergrowth, through which he went with 
the agility of a panther and the sinuosity of a 
serpent. The others, being, as we have said, very 
active and strong, kept close at his heels, though not 
without difficulty. Coming at last to a place 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 61 

where the shrubbery was so intertwined that it was 
impossible to see more than a yard or two in 
advance, they suddenly found themselves stopped 
by a sheer precipice. Only for a few seconds, 
however, was their progress arrested, while their 
guide turned to explain. 

“ There is another and an easier way to the place 
I am making for, but it is much longer and more 
exposed. I take for granted that you have strong 
arms and steady heads, but if not, speak out, for I 
would not lead you into danger.” 

“ Lead on,” said Mark, promptly, “ wherever you 
go, we will follow.” 

With something like an amused twinkle of the 
eye, Kavonino began to climb up the face of the 
precipice, holding on to roots and rope-like 
creepers like a monkey. 

“If this here sort o’ cordage was only a bit 
more taut I wouldn’t mind it so much,” growled 
Hockins, as he lost his footing at one place, and 
swung off the face of the precipice, — holding 
on to a stout creeper, however, with seaman-like 
grip and coolness. He quickly caught hold of 
another creeper, and drew himself again into 
comparative safety. A minute later and they all 
stood on a ledge, high up on the face of the cliff, 
and close to what appeared to be the mouth of a 


cavern. 


62 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Look there,” said their guide, pushing aside the 
bushes which overhung the cliff in all directions. 

They looked, and through the opening beheld a 
band of men moving in single file along the track 
they had just left. They were most of them 
nearly naked, with only short calico breeches which 
did not quite reach to their knees, but all had 
muskets on their shoulders and cross-belts on their 
dark bodies, one of which belts sustained apparently 
a cartridge-box, the other a bayonet. Their own 
thick hair was all the cap they wore, excepting two 
or three men of superior rank, who wore cloths 
wrapped in turban fashion on their heads, and 
a voluminous plaid-like garment on their shoulders. 
These carried swords instead of muskets. 

The- soldiers of the Queen,” said Eavonino, in 
answer to Mark Breezy’s look. “They are out 
hunting.” 

“ What do they -hunt for ? ” asked Mark. 

“ Men and women.” 

“ By which I suppose you mean rebels.” 

“No, they are not rebels; they are the queen’s 
most loyal subjects ! ” 

“ But loyal subjects do not usually fly from their 
rulers,” objected Mark. 

“True, but loyal subjects sometimes, fly from 
tyranny,” returned the guide. “ Come, I will 
introduce you to some fugitives from tyranny.” 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 63 

He turned as he spoke and led the way into the 
cave before mentioned. Profound darkness did not 
prevent his advancing with a firm unhesitating step. 
As he led Mark by the hand, Hockins and Ebony 
held on to him and to each other, and had no 
difficulty in following. Presently they came to a 
wooden obstruction which proved to be a door. 
Voices in conversation were heard on the other side 
of it. A knock from the guide produced sudden 
silence. Another knock drew from those within an 
exclamation of surprise, and next moment the 
heavy door swung open on creaking hinges. 

“ Yes, it is Eavoninohitriniony ! I knew his 
knock. He is come ! ” exclaimed a girlish voice, as 
a pair of arms were seen dimly to encircle the 
guide’s neck. 

Of course the girl spoke in the native tongue, 
which was quite incomprehensible to our travellers, 
but if we are to enlighten our readers we must 
needs translate as we go along. 

“ My sister, Ea-Euth,” said the guide, presenting 
her to his new friends. “She was a lady in the 
palace of the queen once. How she is an outlaw, 
like myself — has fled from, tyranny, and, perhaps, 
death. All in this cave are in the same case — 
fugitives from our tyrant queen. 

They reached the interior of the place as he 
spoke, and Eavonino, pointing to a bundle of dried 


64 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


ferns, bade his companions rest there until he had 
explained some private matters to the people. 

Nothing loth — for they were all somewhat 
fatigued by their recent exertions — our travellers 
flung themselves on what proved to be a lux- 
urious couch, and observed what went on around 
them. 

Truly it was a, strange^ scene, romantic enough 
even to satisfy the longings of Mark Breezy! 

The cavern itself was a curious one, being in the 
form of a vast hall, with three smaller chambers 
opening out of it. The central hall seemed to have 
no roof, for although brightly lighted by several 
torches fixed to its rugged walls the upper part was 
lost in profound obscurity. 

This strange abode was peopled by a considerable 
number of men and women — natives of the island — 
who from the variety in their costume, features, and 
complexion, evidently belonged to different tribes. 
Some were strong, tall, and rather harsh-featured, 
others were more slender in build and with refined 
countenances. A few were almost black, others of 
a light olive colour, and several made that approach 
to whiteness of skin which in England is known as 
brunette. All were more or less 'characterised by 
that quiet gentleness and gravity of demeanour 
which one is accustomed to- associate with humbly 
borne^ misfortune. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 65 

Ifc was evident from the appearance of the large 
chamber that its inhabitants were associated in 
groups or families, spaces being marked off by an 
arrangement of logs and household goods, etc., as if 
to indicate the habitation of each group, and, from 
certain indications in the smaller chambers, it was 
equally evident that these had been apportioned as 
the sleeping-places of the females. A larger space 
at the end of the cave, opposite to that on which 
Mark and his comrades reclined, seemed to be a 
general meeting-place. 

To this spot it was that Eavonino went, leading 
his little sister Ea-Euth by the hand, and followed 
by all the inmates of the place, who were eager to 
know what news he had brought. That the news 
was the reverse of good soon became evident, from 
the bowed heads and frequent sighs with which it 
was received. 

Of course our travellers could make no use of 
their ears, but they made the best use of their eyes, 
and were deeply interested in the expressions and 
actions of the various members of the group who 
successively spoke after the guide had told his story. 
Poor little Ea-Euth, whose age might have been 
about seventeen, was not one of the speakers. She 
was evidently a timid as well as a pretty little 
creature, for she clung to and nestled against her 
stout brother’s arm while he was speaking, and hid 


E 


66 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


her face now and then in the masses of her luxuriant 
brown hair. 

Close to her sat a young woman whose appearance 
and manner formed a striking contrast. She was 
much darker in complexion, but her features were of 
classical beauty and her air calm and self-possessed. 
When she had occasion to speak, she arose, dis- 
playing a tall elegantly-formed figure, which moved 
with queen-like dignity while she gesticulated with 
graceful animation, and frequently pointed upwards 
as if appealing to God. When she was speaking 
Ea-Euth’s timidity seemed to vanish, for she shook 
back her hair, and fixed her eyes on the other s face 
with a gaze that told of ardent love as well as 
admiration. 

The next who spoke was a young man, who 
in face and figure so strongly resembled the last 
speaker, that it was impossible to resist the con- 
clusion that they were brother and sister. There 
was the same tall commanding figure, of course on 
a larger scale, the same noble cast of feature and 
the same dignified mien. But in the man, more 
than in the woman, there was an air of gentle 
modesty which contrasted well with his powerful 
frame. He did not gesticulate much in speaking, 
and, judging from the brevity of his speech, he had 
not much to say, but what he said was listened to 
with profound respect by all. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


67 


After this youth, several others took part in the 
debate. Then they all stood up, and, to the surprise 
of their visitors, began to. sing — very sweetly — an 
old familiar hymn ! 

“It minds me o* home,” whispered Hockins, 
scarce able to restrain the tears that filled his eyes. 

The hymn was nearly finished, when a rushing 
sound and a subdued cry were heard to issue from a 
dark passage, the mouth of which was close to the 
couch of our travellers. The singing ceased instantly. 
Next moment a man rushed into the chamber with 
labouring breath and flashing eyes. Springing to- 
wards Eavonino, he spoke several words eagerly, at 
the same time pointing in the direction of the 
passage just referred to. 

“ Lights out and silence ! ” cried the guide, authori- 
tatively, in the native tongue. 

Another moment and the cave was in total dark- 
ness, and a silence so profound reigned there that 
the three visitors could hardly persuade themselves 
the whole affair was not a strange dream. The voice 
of Eavonino, however, soon dispelled that idea. 

“ Be still ! ” whispered the guide, laying his hand 
on Mark’s shoulder. “Our foes have discovered 
our retreat.” 

“There’s a lot of stout fellows here,” returned 
Mark, also in a whisper. “We will help you if you 
have to fight.” 


68 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


“ We may not fight,” replied Eavonino softly. “ If 
it be God’s will, we must die. Hush ! They come.” 

Once more total silence prevailed in the cavern, 
and the sound of distant voices could be heard. 
In a few minutes a tiny light was seen at the end of 
the dark passage. It gradually increased in size, 
revealing a soldier who bore a torch. He advanced 
on tip-toe, and with slightly scared looks, into an 
outer cavern which formed a sort of vestibule to the 
large inner cave. 

The soldier was brave, no doubt, and would have 
faced an^ army in the field, but he was extremely 
superstitious, and advanced with a palpitating heart, 
the torch held high above his head, and eyes glanc- 
ing nervously from side to side. A crowd of 
comrades, similarly affected more or less, followed 
the torch-bearer and pushed him on. 

“ Nothing here,” said the leading man, of course 
in Malagasy. 

“ Let us be gone, then,” said one of his comrades. 

“ No,” observed a third, who seemed bolder than 
the rest, “perhaps there is another cave beyond 
(pointing to the dark passage, through which, though 
unseen, Mark and his companions with the guide 
were gazing anxiously at their foes). “ Give me the 
torch.” 

The soldier seized the light and advanced quickly 
towards the opening. Another minute and all must 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


69 


have been revealed. A feeling of despair took 
possession of Kavonino’s breast and he gave vent to 
an involuntary sigh. 

The sound reached the ear of the soldier with the 
torch and for a moment arrested him, but, thinking 
probably that the sound was in his imagination, he 
again advanced. The case was now desperate. 
Just then a gleam of light flashed into the mind of 
Hockins. Next moment, to the consternation of his 
comrades and the guide, a strain of the sweetest 
music floated softly in the air ! 

The soldiers stood still — spell-bound. It was not 
an unfamiliar air, for they had often heard the 
hated Christians sing it, but the sweet, liquid — we 
might almost say tiny — tones in which it was con- 
veyed, were such as had never before reached their 
ears or even entered their imaginations. It was 
evident from their countenances that the soldiers 
were awe-stricken. The seaman noted this. He 
played only a few bars, and allowed the last notes 
of his flageolet to gi*ow faint until they died away 
into absolute silence. 

For a minute or two the soldiers stood rooted to 
the spot, gazing up into the roof of the cave as if 
expecting a renewal of the sounds. Then they 
looked solemnly at each other. Without uttering a 
word they turned slowly round, retreated on tip-toe 
as they came, and finally disappeared. 


70 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


We need hardly say that the astonishment of the 
people in the cave at the mode of their deliverance 
from the threatened danger was intense. 

When the torches were relighted the men and 
women assembled round Kavonino with looks little 
less solemn than those of the soldiers who had just 
taken their departure. 

“Surely,” said the handsome young man whom 
we have already introduced, “ surely God has 
wrought a miracle and sent an angel’s voice for our 
deliverance.” 

“ Not so, Laihova,” replied Eavonino, with a slight 
smile. “We are too apt to count everything that 
we fail to understand a miracle. God has indeed 
sent the deliverance, but through a natural channel.” 

“ Yet we see not the channel, Eavoninohitriniony,” 
said Laihova’s queen-like sister, Eamatoa. 

“ True, Eamatoa. Nevertheless I can show it to 
you. Come, Hockins,” he added in English, “ clear 
up the mystery to them.” 

Thus bidden, our seaman at once drew forth the 
little instrument and began to play the hymn they 
had just been singing, with the air of which, as we 
have said, he chanced to be well acquainted. 

It would be hard to say whether surprise or 
pleasure predominated in the breasts of his audience. 
At last the latter feeling prevailed, and the whole 
assembly joined in singing the last verse of the 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


71 


hymn, which appropriately terminated in “Praise ye 
the Lord.” 

“ But our retreat is no longer safe,” said Eavonino, 
when the last echo of their thanksgiving had died 
away. “We must change our abode — and that 
without delay. Get ready. By the first light of 
morning I will lead you to a new home. These 
soldiers will not return, but they will tell what they 
have seen, and others less timorous will come here 
to search for us.” 

Immediately the people set about collecting to- 
gether and packing up what may he termed their 
household goods, leaving the guide and their visitors 
to enjoy supper and conversation in their own 
corner of the cave. 


72 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


CHAPTEK VI. 

THE GUIDE BECOMES COMMUNICATIVE, AND TELLS OF TERRIBLE 
DOINGS. 

During the progress of supper, which consisted 
of cold dried meat and rice, the quartette seated on 
the ferns in the corner of the cave were unusually 
silent. Mark Breezy and Eavonino continued to 
eat for some time without speaking a word. Ebony, 
although earnestly absorbed in victuals, rolled his 
eyes about as he looked from time to time at his 
companions with unwonted solemnity, and John 
Hockins frowned at his food, and shook his shaggy 
head with an air of dissatisfied perplexity. 

“ Eavonino,” at length said the last, looking up, 
and using his ^rass pocket-handkerchief, “ it seems 
to me, bein' a plain straight-for’ard sort o’ sea- 
man, that there^ somethin’ not exactly fair an’ 
above-board in all them proceedin’s. Of course 
it ’s not for me to say what a independent man 
should do or say ; but don’t you think that w’en a 
man like you professes to be honest, an’ asks other 
men to trust him, he should at least explain some o’ 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 73 

the riddles that surround him? I’m a. loyal man 
myself, an’ I ’ll stand up for my Queen an’ country, 
no matter what may he the circumstances in w’ich 
I ’m placed ; so that w’en I sees another man 
admittin’ that he ’s a outlaw, an’ finds the soldiers 
of his Queen a-huntin’ all about the country arter 
him and his comrades — seems to me there ’s a screw 
loose somewheres.” 

“ Dat’s my sent’ments zactly,” said the negro, with 
a decisive nod. 

Mark took no notice of this speech, but silently 
continued his supper. For a few moments the guide 
did not speak or look up. Then, laying down his 
knife and clasping his hands over one of his knees, 
he looked earnestly into the seaman’s face. 

You tell me you are loyal,” he said. 

Hockins nodded. 

“ If your queen,” continued Eavonino, “ were to 
tell you to give up the service of God and worship 
idols, would you do it ?” 

** Cer’nly not,” replied the seaman, promptly, “ for 
she has no right to rule over my soul. My duty to 
the King of Kings stands before my duty to the 
Queen of England.” 

Again the guide was silent for a few minutes. 
Then he said : — 

'' Hockins, by God’s blessing you have saved the 
lives of all our party this day — at least it seemed 


74 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


SO, for, another step, and that soldier would have 
discovered us if your little pipe had not stopped 
him. You are therefore entitled to expect some 
gratitude, and, from what I have seen of you and 
your comrades, I have reason to believe you will 
not betray us, even if you get the chance.” 

“Eight you are, friend, I will never betray an 
honest man ; an’ I may speak for my comrades as 
well as self, for they’re true-blue to the back- 
bone—” 

“Furder nor dat,” interposed Ebony, “troo-bloo 
to de marrow !” 

“ Don’t you shove in your oar till you ’re ordered, 
you nigger ! Well, as I was a-sayin’, we ’ll never 
betray honest men, but I give you fair warnin’ if 
you ’re not honest, we ’ll have nothin’ to do wi’ your 
secrets, an’ if our duty to God an’ man requires us 
to go against you, we ’ll do it without flinchin’.” 

“So be it. I am satisfied,” returned Eavonino, 
calmly. “ I will tell you as much as I think you 
are entitled to know. It may have reached your 
ears, perhaps, that there has been terrible persecu- 
tion in this island for many years.” 

Here Mark Breezy took up the conversation. 

“ No,” said he, with something of a deprecatory 
air, “we did not know it. For my part I am 
ashamed to say so ; but I will say in excuse that 
the British empire is widely extended in every 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


75 


quarter of the globe, and her missions are so 
numerous that average men can scarcely hope to 
keep up with the details of all of the persecutions 
that occur. Eumours, indeed, I have heard of 
doings in Madagascar that vie with the persecutions 
of the Scottish Covenanters ; but more than this I 
know not, though of course there are men connected 
with our Missionary Societies — and many people, 
no doubt, interested in missions — who know all 
about the persecutions in Madagascar. Is it in 
connection with this that you have been outlawed ?” 

“ It is. Eanavalona, the blood-stained usurper, our 
present queen, is filled with such bitter hatred of 
Christianity that she has for many years persecuted 
the native Christians who have been taught by 
white missionaries from your land. Hundreds of 
men and. women have been murdered by her orders 
because they refused to forsake Christ.; others have 
been banished to regions so unhealthy that they 
have died, and many have been sold into slavery.” 

The eyes of the guide gleamed for a moment, and 
his stern countenance flushed as he thus referred to 
the sorrows of his people, but by a strong effort he 
controlled his feelings, and his countenance resumed 
its habitual quietude. 

“ My mother and my sister and I,” he continued, 
“ were sold into slavery. My mother was a native 
lady, high in station, and a member of the court of 


76 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


King Radama the First, who was very favourable to 
Missionaries. I was an infant at that time; my 
little sister was not born. My father was an English 
trader, skilled in many handicrafts, and a great 
favourite with the king, who fostered the Christian 
religion and helped those who came to teach us. 
Our teachers learned our language ; taught us the 
love of God, and, through the power of the Holy 
Spirit, brought many of us to the Saviour. But 
they were persevering and wise as well as good. 
Having learned our language — in which my father 
helped them much — they taught us to read ; trans- 
lated many parts of the Word of God into our 
tongue ; sent home for presses and types, and had 
these printed, as well as The Pilgrim's Progress and 
other books. 

“ Peace, joy, and prosperity were spreading in our 
land. Idol-worship and cruel customs were being 
uprooted, and everything was going well when the 
king died — whether a Christian or not, who can 
tell ? for, although favourable to, he never professed, 
Christianity. *The Lord knoweth them that are 
His !’ The rightful heir to the throne, according to 
our customs, was Rakotobe — a good, young man 
who had been taught by the missionaries, and was 
nephew to the king; but Ranavalona, one of the 
king’s wives, resolved to seize the opportunity. A 
bold bad woman, with a powerful will and no 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 77 

principle, she carried her point by reckless blood- 
shed. There were men at court as bad as herself 
who agreed to aid her. When she boldly claimed 
the throne, four loyal nobles asserted the claim of 
Eakotobe. They were instantly speared in the 
palace. The rightful heir was not present. Soldiers 
were sent to his residence to seize and kill him 
before he should hear of what was going on. 

“l^ot content with shedding blood, the cruel 
monsters dug the poor youth’s grave before his 
eyes. When they were thus engaged Eakotobe 
kneeled down to pray, and while he was in this 
position they speared him and cast him into his 
grave. Soon after the father and mother of Eako- 
tobe were murdered — ^the last being starved to death. 
The brother of Eadama was destroyed in like 
manner. He lingered eight days in agony before 
death came to his relief. Then Eakotobe’s grand- 
mother and other relations were slain by Eanava- 
lona’s orders, and thus the murderess waded through 
blood to the throne of Madagascar ! 

“ Think you,” continued the guide, with a passing 
gleam of the anger which he strove to restrain, 
‘‘think you that I owe allegiance to such a queen?” 

“ Truly ye do not,” answered the seaman, stoutly. 
“ My only wonder is that the people suffer her to 
reign.” 

Scarce heeding the reply the guide continued. 


78 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


with suppressed excitement, “ but she did not rest 
content. It was in the year 1829 that she usurped 
the throne.. Since then she has persecuted the 
Christians for more than a quarter of a century, and 
at times blood has flowed like water in our land. 
Bad as she is, however, she would have been worse 
but for her love to her son. Ay, the woman whose 
heart is a stone to most people is soft towards the 
young prince Eakota, in spite of the fact that this 
youth is favourable to the Christians and has often 
stood between them and his mother. 

“ About nine years after the queen’s coronation 
my little sister was born, and was secretly baptized 
— the name of Euth being given to her. It is our 
custom to prefix Ea to many names — so she is 
Ea-Euth. Look at her ! ” He pointed to a group 
not far off, where the delicate and graceful girl was 
busily assisting an elderly woman in her packing 
arrangements. “ See you the lady beside her, with 
the grey hair and the sad worn face ? That is my 
mother. I have said she was high at the Court of 
Eadama the First. She was young then. I was born 
the year that Eadama died. Eanavalona was fond 
of her, though she loved not her Christianity, so she 
continued at the palace. The Queen also became 
very fond of my little sister when she began to 
grow to womanhood, but Ea-Euth could not return 
the affection of one whose hands were stained so 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


79 


deeply with Christian blood. I was an officer in the 
palace at the time, but would gladly have left, only 
my doing so might have roused the queen’s wrath 
against my father and mother. 

“At last the missionaries were ordered to quit 
the capital. In 1849 a great persecution took place. 
The queen became furious because her people would 
not cease to love and serve Jesus. She ordered 
many men and women to be speared and burned 
and tossed over precipices, but all without avail, 
because ' greater is He who is for us than all who 
can be against us.’ 

“My father was away on a trading expedition 
at this time. One day in attempting to cross a lake 
he was drowned.” The guide’s voice deepened as 
he went on, “ He was a good loving father to me. 
He taught me nearly all I know, and he was no 
mean scholar. He also sent me to the missionary 
schools. After his death the Queen hardened her 
heart against us ; and as we refused to give up pray- 
ing to God and singing His praise, we were cast out 
of the palace — my mother and sister and I, with 
several others, among whom were Laihova and his 
sister Eamatoa. We were sold into slavery in the 
public market. 

“Our purchaser was cruel. He put us to the 
hardest menial work. We remained for several 
years with him. The health of my poor mother 


80 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


and sister began to give way. Then he sold me to 
another man, and we were separated. This was too 
much, I suppose, for the English blood in me to 
endure quietly. I made my escape. I went back 
to my old owner, and, in the night, induced my 
mother and sister to fly. Many persecuted Chris- 
tians have fled since then and are now hiding in dens 
and caves like hunted beasts. We soon found some 
of these in the depths of the forests, and agreed to 
band together. They made me their leader, and I 
brought them here, where we have lived and wor- 
shipped God in peace ; but, as you have seen, we 
are liable to be captured at any moment.” 

“ And if captured,” said Mark, “ would the Queen 
really put you to death ? ” 

“ I fear she would ; nay, I am,certain of it, because 
one who recently escaped from Antananarivo has 
just brought the news that the Queen has been 
visited with a fresh burst of anger against the 
Christians, has thrown many into prison and sent 
out troops to scour the country in search of those 
who have fled.” 

“But if that is so,” said Hockins, earnestly, 
“what’s the use o’ you riskin’ your life by goin’ 
with us to Ant — Ant-all-alive-0 ! (I ’ll never git 
that name into my head ! ). Why not just sketch us 
out a rough chart o’ the island on a bit o’ bark, give 
us the bearin’s o’ the capital, an’ let us steer a 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


81 


straight course for it. Ill be bound that well 
make our port easy enough.” 

“ Yes, Hockins speaks wisely,” added Mark. It 
is very kind of you to take so much trouble for us, 
but there is no need to run such great risk on our 
account.” 

You do not consider,” replied Eavonino, “ that 
it is more difficult for sailors to cross the wild forest 
than to find their way on the trackless sea, and 
you forget also that the way is long, that Mada- 
gascar is larger than Great Britain and Ireland 
put together. There are many tribes, too, some of 
which are not so hospitable as others. You could 
not avoid the dangers of this wilderness easily 
without a guide. Besides, I do not mean to enter 
the capital. I will merely guide you to within 
sight of it and then leave you. Fortunately you 
require no assistance from natives, not being 
encumbered with this world’s goods.” 

“ Das troo ; ha, ha — a ! ” cried Ebony, opening 
his portentous mouth and shutting his eyes, “ we ’s 
got no luggidge.” 

“Well, we shall only be too glad of your com- 
pany,” said Mark, with some feeling, “and we thank 
you most heartily for your disinterested, kindness.” 

“ My conduct is not altogether disinterested,” 
returned the guide. “ The truth is, I had no intention 
at first of doing more than guiding you to the right 
F 


82 


THE FUGITIVES, Oil 


pass in the mountains, but since I have been with 
you my feelings have been modified, and the news 
which we have just received has — has filled me 
with anxiety, and raised in my mind the idea that 
— that I may even make use of you ! ” 

“ That ’s right,” exclaimed Mark, heartily, “ I ’m 
glad if there is the smallest chance of our serving 
you in any way. In what way can we do so ? ” 

For some moments the guide displayed a degree 
of hesitancy which his friends had not before noticed 
in him. Then he spoke, slowly — 

“ Well, the truth is, that I have a friend in the 
palace who is, I have been told, in great danger, 
owing to the wrath of Eanavalona. I thought that 
somehow, perhaps, you might give warning to this 
friend, and say that Samuel Eavoninohitriniony is in 

the neighbouring forest, and ” 

Here the guide stopped short, and seemed to be in 
some perplexity. Mark Breezy, whose young and 
romantic spirit was deeply stirred by the prospect 
of adventure which his words had opened up, 
assured him with enthusiasm that whatever was 
possible for man to accomplish he might depend 
upon being at least vigorously attempted. To which 
assurance John Hockins begged to “putt the word 
ditto,” and the negro fervently added, “ Das so — me 
too !” 

“But how are we to find your friend,” asked 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


83 


Mark, seeing that we don’t know and have never 
seen him ?” 

friend is not a man, but a — a woman, a 
young girl,” said Eavonino, with the slightest possible 
symptom of confusion, which opened the eyes of 
Mark instantly, and still further stirred his sym- 
pathies. 

“ Eavonino,” he exclaimed, suddenly grasping the 
guide’s hand, “ treat me as a friend and trust me. 
You love this young girl! Is it not so? Nay, 
man, don’t be angry with me. I can’t help sym- 
pathising. Why, I know ,something of your — ^your 
— a— condition myself. The morning I left England, 
the very last person I said good-bye to was a fair 
young girl, with golden hair, and a rosebud mouth, 
and such lovely blue 

“ Das right, Massa,” burst in Ebony, with a crow 
of admiration. “ It doos my bery heart good to see 
a man as is proud ob his sweet’art. I ’s got one too, 
bress you ! but she ain’t fair I No, she ’s black as de 
kitchen chimbly, wid a bootiful flat nose, a mout’ 
like a coal-scuttle, an’ such eyes — oh 1 ” 

“ Hold your tongue. Ebony ! Now, am I not 
right, Eavonino ? ” 

“ You are right,” answered the guide, gravely, yet 
without displeasure. “ My Eafaravavy is in danger, 
and I must save her from this murderess at all 
hazards. It is right, however, to tell you that if you 


84 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


attempt to aid me you will encounter both difficulty 
and danger.” 

“ Don’t mention that, friend. No true man would 
shrink from either in a good cause,” said Mark. 
“ But when must we set out on this expedition ? ” 

“ By daybreak to-morrow. Our new hiding-place 
is on our way, so the change will not delay us ; and 
from what the fugitives have told us, I hope — 
indeed I feel sure — that the Queen will do no further 
mischief for some weeks to come. But now, com- 
rades,” said the guide, rising, “ we must rest if we 
would work to-morrow. Follow me.” 

He led them into one of the side caves, when the 
whole of the people followed, as if by preconcerted 
arrangement. Here a much-soiled book in a leathern 
cover was produced. It was a portion of the Bible 
in the Malagasy language. A few verses were 
reverently read by the guide ; a brief earnest prayer 
was offered by a very old man ; a hymn was sung, 
and then the people dispersed to their several sections 
of the cave. Finally the lights were extinguished, 
and the place was left in silence and darkness 
profound. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR, 


85 


CHAPTER VIL 

DESCRIBES A MEEK MOTHER AND CROCODILE-SON. JOURNEY 
RESUMED AND STRANGE TREATMENT OP THE KINO 
OP THE WATERS. 

Dawn was still struggling to assert itself in the 
far east, and the depths of the forest were still 
shrouded in almost midnight gloom, when the strange 
band of outlaws emerged from their cave, and, led 
by Eavonino, went forth to search for a safer dwell- 
ing-place in the still more inaccessible fastnesses of 
the wilderness. 

They had not much difficulty in finding a suitable 
spot, for the particular region to which they had fied 
from persecution was exceedingly wild and broken 
in form, and abounded with concealed caverns 
having outlets in several directions, so that pursuit 
and discovery were alike difficult. 

We may not delay here, however, to tell of their 
wanderings. Like the Christians of other lands 
and more ancient times, they were hunted like wild 
beasts, though their only crime was a desire to 
serve and worship God according to the dictates of 


86 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


their consciences. It is the old familiar story, and 
comment is needless to those who understand it — 

“ Man's inhumanity to man 
Makes countless thousands mourn.” 

There is only one other member of the party of 
whom we will make mention just now, because she 
appears again somewhat prominently in our tale. 
This was a little elderly female who seemed utterly 
destitute of the very common human attribute of 
self-assertion, and in whose amiable, almost comical, 
countenance, one expression seemed to overbear and 
obliterate all others, namely that of gushing good- 
will to man and beast ! Those who did not know 
R4ni-Mamba thought her an amiable imbecile. 
Those who knew her well loved her with peculiar 
tenderness. Her modesty and self-abnegation were 
not, so far as any one knew, the result of principle. 
She was too unassertive to lay claim to principle ! 
We are not sure that she understood the meaning 
of principle. 

Before Christianity in its doctrinal form reached 
her she had only one source of discomfort in life, and 
that was that in everything she failed ! Failed to do 
as much as she wanted to do for other people; failed 
to express herself always as affectionately as she felt; 
failed to avoid giving slight occasions of offence, 
although she “ never, never meant to do it !” In short 
she was, strange to say, a victim to self-condemnation. 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 87 

When the Gospel of Jesus came to her, telling, as it 
does, that “ God is Love,” that Christ came to sweep 
away for ever the very sins that troubled her, and 
that His Holy Spirit would fight for and in her, so 
as to make her “ more than conqueror,” she caught 
it to her heart as the very thing she needed. 

She did not indeed condemn herself less — nay, 
she rather condemned herself more than formerly — 
but the joy of being on the winning side, of know- 
ing that all sin was pardoned for His sake, of feel- 
ing assured of progressive victory now and complete 
victory in the. end, thoroughly scattered her old 
troubles to the winds. 

Her very name was characteristic. It is a common 
and curious custom in Madagascar for parents some- 
times to drop their own names and take the name 
of their eldest child with the word raini, “ father 
of,” or r4niy “mother of,” prefixed. Now this 
amiable little elderly woman had been married young, 
and it so happened that her husband was away on 
an expedition to the coast when the first and only 
son was born. One of the first things that the 
child did after opening its black eyes on this life 
was to open its uncommonly large mouth, with the 
intention, no doubt, of howling. But circumstances 
apparently induced it to change its mind, for it shut 
its mouth without howling. 

The effect of the gape on the mother was to 


88 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


remind her of one class of inhabitants of her native 
rivers— the crocodile — and cause her laughingly to 
style the child her “ young crocodile.” The Mala- 
gasy word for crocodile is mamha, and thus the 
child came by his name, with the usual prefix, 
Ea-Mamba. After a time his mother became so 
proud of her young crocodile that she dropped her 
own name entirely — congenially, as it were, obli- 
terated herself — and ever after was known as E4ni- 
Mamba, “ mother of the crocodile.” 

At the time we write of. Mamba (we will drop 
the “ Ea ”) was a stalwart handsome youth of over 
twenty, with no resemblance whatever to his name- 
sake except a goodly-sized mouth and an amazing 
strength of appetite. 

Need we say that his mother’s gushing powers 
were expended upon him with the force of a 
Norwegian mill-race? It is gratifying to be able 
to add that the crocodile was keenly responsive ! 

The father of little Mamba — Andrianivo — had 
returned to the capital soon after his son’s birth. 
He was a man in good position among the aristo- 
cracy of the land, and occupied a post of trust in 
the Queen’s service. At that time the first great 
persecution of the Christians had begun. It was 
known that Andrianivo favoured the Christians. 
On the question being put to him, he frankly 
admitted that he was one of them. He was there- 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


89 


fore despoiled of all he possessed, and banished into 
perpetual exile and slavery. He was sent in chains 
to a pestilential part of the island, with the intention 
that toil and disease should end his life. So secretly 
and promptly was he spirited away that no one 
could tell the precise locality to which he had been 
banished. His heart-broken wife and child were 
also sold, but were taken to a more healthy region, 
where the child grew and became a stout boy ; his 
little mother, meanwhile, acting the part of a meek 
and faithful slave. She would probably have lived 
and died in this condition had not her stout son, 
when he grew up, resolved to become free. His 
mother had taught him what she knew of the 
Christian religion. From Eavonino he learned more, 
and heard of the escaped Christians, who found a 
refuge in forests and mountains. Finally he per- 
suaded his mother to run away with him, and thus 
it came about that we find them with the band of 
which Eavonino was leader — Laihova being lieu- 
tenant of the band. 

An occasion for the display of his affectionate 
nature was afforded to Mamba on the morning we 
write of. Active as a kitten, though middle-aged, 
Edni-Mamba was skipping from rock to rock in a 
very rugged part of their route, when, her foot 
slipping, she fell and sprained her ankle badly. 

Mamba was close to her. 


90 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


“Mother!” he exclaimed, hurrying forward and 
raising her carefully, “why jump about like the 
squirrel ? Are you hurt ?” 

“ My son, help me to rise.” 

Gently the youth lifted her, and set her on her 
feet, whereupon she sank down again with a little 
shriek, and looked up with an expression of mingled 
humour and pain. 

“My leg, I think, is broken !” said E4ni (for the 
sake of brevity we will drop the “ Mamba ”). 

“ Surely not, mother ; it has been too tough and 
strong to break ever since I knew it.” 

Mamba spoke encouragingly ; nevertheless, he 
examined the limb with anxious care. Being ignor- 
ant of surgery his examination was not of much 
use, but, fortunately, just then Mark Breezy, who 
had lingered behind to gather some plants, arrived 
on the scene. He found the injury to be a bad 
sprain, and did the best he could for the poor woman 
in the circumstances. 

“ How, we must carry her,” he said to the guide, 
“ for she won’t be able to walk for many days.” 

On this being translated. Mamba gathered his 
mother up as if she had been a bundle of clothes, or 
a baby, and marched away with her. 

“ Stop, stop 1” cried Eavonino, “ you can’t carry her 
more than a few miles on such ground as I shall soon 
lead you over. We must arrange for her a filanzana!' 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


91 


The guide here referred to the sort of palanquin 
used by travellers in a country where there were no 
roads. It consisted of a shallow, oblong basket, with 
light wooden framework, filled in with plaited strips 
of sheepskin, and hung between two light poles or 
bamboos. As several such machines were used by 
some of the party to carry their few household 
necessaries, one of them was at once emptied and 
K^ni put therein by her affectionate son. Four 
stout young men put the ends of the poles on their 
shoulders, and the party once more advanced. Mamba 
walking by the side of the filanzana to be ready to 
assist in cases of difficulty or danger, and to relieve 
the bearers occasionally. 

That afternoon they arrived at their new abode — 
a large, dry cavern — the entrance to which was not 
only well concealed on the face of a cliff in the 
heart of a dense jungle, but so difficult of access 
that a mere handful of men might easily have main- 
tained it against a host. 

Here Eavonino made no further delay than was 
necessary to see the party fairly settled. Then he 
left them, but not before receiving many an earnest 
and affectionate message to friends and kindred of 
the fugitives still at the capital, but who had, as 
yet, managed to elude the vigilance and escape the 
malignity of Queen Eanavalona and her spies. 
Some of the women even wept as they bade the 


92 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


guide farewell, saying that they felt sure he 
would at last fall a victim to the relentless fury 
of the Queen, and that they should see his face no 
more. 

With these the guide gently remonstrated. 

“ Think you not,” he said, “ that God is as able to 
protect me in Antananarivo as here in the wilder- 
ness? I go because I think that duty calls me. 
I expect no miracle in my behalf. I will take all 
possible precautions. Farewell.” 

Once more our three travellers found themselves 
advancing rapidly in single file through the forest, 
with the guide in advance. Before the sinking sun 
compelled them to encamp under the trees that 
night they had put many miles between them and 
the hiding-place of the outlawed Christians. 

Next day, as they were about to resume their 
journey, Eavonino told them that about noon they 
would come to a large river on the other side of 
which there was a village where they could spend 
the night, for the people and their chief were 
friendly. 

“ Are they Christians ? ” asked Mark. 

‘•'No— at least the most of them are not, though 
there may be a few secret converts among them ; for 
this hot persecution at the capital has scattered the 
Christians far and wide through the land, so that 
the knowledge of the blessed Gospel spreads. Thus 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 93 

our God makes the wrath of man to praise Him. 
The remainder of wrath He has promised to restrain. 
If He wills it otherwise, are we not prepared to die 
at His bidding? Many of our people have died 
already under the bloody reign of Eanavalona the 
usurper. How many more shall perish, who can 
tell?” 

"But how do it come about,” asked Hockins, 
" that this here chief is friendly ? ” 

"Because I had occasion to render him good 
service at one time, and he is grateful.” 

" Good ! Das allers de right way,” remarked 
Ebony, with an approving nod. "W’en a man’s 
grateful he’s safe — you’s sure ob ’im. Is dat de 
ribber you refur to jes’ now?” 

He pointed to an opening among the trees ahead, 
through which the sheen of water glittering in the 
sunlight could be seen. 

Before the guide could reply a loud shout startled 
them, and next moment they were surrounded 
by half-naked savages, who brandished their spears 
threateningly. 

Quick as lightning, according to a pre-arranged 
plan in case of sudden attack, Mark, Hockins, and 
the negro stood back-to-back, facing in all directions 
— the first with his gun advanced, the seaman 
pointing his cutlass at the foe, and Ebony levelling 
a spear with which he had provided himself. Little 


94 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


would their courage have availed them, however, 
if Eavonino had not beeu there, for a flight of spears 
would have ended their resistance in a moment. 

“Voalavo, your chief, is my friend,” said the 
guide, calmly, without putting himself in an atti- 
tude of defence, or showing the slightest symptom 
of alarm. Is Yoalavo with you ?” 

“ Voalavo comes,” they replied, at once lowering 
their weapons and pointing in the direction of the 
river, whence proceeded sounds as of the lowing of 
cattle. 

"‘We have been to visit our enemies,” said one of 
the party, who, from his tones and bearing, appeared 
to be a leader. “We have smitten them, and we 
have brought away their cattle.” 

As he spoke another native was seen approaching. 
He was a large burly jovial-looking man, some- 
where about forty years of age, armed with a spear 
and enveloped in the native larriba, a garment 
used much in the same way as the Scottish plaid, 
which it resembled in form, though of much lighter 
material. The ornamentation of this garment pro- 
claimed the wearer a person of distinction, and 
the evident satisfaction that beamed on his broad 
jovial countenance when he recognised and greeted 
Eavonino showed that it was Voalavo himself — 
the chief of the village they were approaching. 

‘ I ’m sorry to see,” said the guide, after the first 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


95 


few words of salutation, “ that my friend still 
delights in war and robbery.” 

“ Don’t be sorry, friend, don’t be sorry,” returned 
the chief with a hearty laugh, as he gave the other 
a slap on the shoulder. “ Sorrow does no good. 
It only puts water in the eyes and makes them red. 
Look at me — just returned from ‘ war and robbery,’ 
and as happy as a squirrel. If a man does not 
delight in war and robbery, what is there in the 
world to delight in ? If / am not sorry why should 
you be? If you can’t help it — then laugh at it 
and try to enjoy your sorrow. That ’s the way I do. 
It suits me. I grow fat on it !” 

He certainly did grow fat — if not on laughing 
at sorrow, certainly on something else — and his 
followers, although respectfully silent, showed by 
their smiling faces that they sympathised with 
their chief’s hilarious mood. 

“ But where did you fall in with the white men ?” 
asked Voalavo, turning suddenly towards Mark and 
Hockins, who stood listening with interest and 
curiosity to the rapid flow of his unintelligible talk. 
“ Such pale flowers do not grow in our forests !” 

In a few words Eavonino explained the history 
of our adventurers as far as he knew it, and the 
chief, on learning that they were his friend’s friends, 
bade them welcome, and shook hands heartily in the 
European fashion — a mode of expressing friend- 


96 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


ship which had probably been learned from the 
missionaries, who, after spending many years in 
Madagascar, had, about the time we write of, been 
all banished from the island. 

“ Come now,” cried the chief, “ the rice will soon 
be ready — that won’t make you sorry, Eavonino, 
will it? — and we have yet to cross the river with 
the cattle in the face of the hungry crocodiles — 
which wont make them sorry ! Come.” 

Turning impulsively, in the brusque careless 
manner which characterised him, Voalavo led the 
way to the banks of the river — a considerable 
stream — where the cattle were assembled and 
guarded by a band of over a hundred warriors. 

“ Cattle seem to be plentiful in these parts,” said 
Mark to the guide as they walked along. 

“ They are numerous everywhere in Madagascar. 
In truth a large part of our exports to the Mauritius 
and elsewhere consists of cattle. — Look ! the chief 
was right when he said the^rocodiles would not be 
sorry to see the cattle crossing.” 

He pointed to a ripple on the water caused by 
the ugly snout of one of the creatures referred to. 
It seemed by the activity of its movements to be 
already anticipating a feast. 

“ Crocodiles,” continued the guide, are numerous 
in many of our lakes and rivers, and dangerous too, 
though they are naturally timid and can be easily 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


97 


frightened away. I remember a curious instance 
of this kind happening on the east coast, where a 
European trader was cleverly imposed on — deceived, 

or, what you call ” 

Humbugged,” suggested Hockins. 

“ Well, yes — humbugged ! He was a big ignorant 
fellow, this trader; strong and energetic enough, 
but full of conceit — thought he knew almost every- 
thing, but in reality knew next to nothing, yet 
self-willed and obstinate enough to — to — You 
know the sort of man?” 

“Yes, yes; a stoopid cockscomb,” said Hockins. 
“ I know the breed well — lots of ’em every- 
where.” 

“ Jus’ so — a born idjit ; go on, massa,” said Ebony, 
who was always charmed at the prospect of a story 
or anecdote. 

“Well, this trader,” continued the guide, “was 
on his way from Antananarivo to the coast with 
cattle for exportation, and one day they came to a 
place where they had to cross a narrow part of a 
lake. The natives of that place advised him not to 
venture without trying the effect of their ody, or 
charms, on the crocodiles. These they said, and 
believed, would protect the cattle in crossing. But 
the trader scouted the idea, and, laughing at their 
superstitions, gave orders to drive the bullocks into 
the water. He quickly repented his obstinacy, for no 
G 


98 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


sooner were they in than the-crocodiles seized nine 
of them and dragged them down. ‘ Oh ! bring the 
ody — work the ody — quick!’ cried the anxious 
man, fearing lest all the cattle should be seized. 
The ody was worked instantly, and to his astonish- 
ment, as well as the triumph of the natives, the 
rest of the cattle crossed in safety. Even those 
that had been nearly drowned escaped and passed 
over.” 

“ But how was dat ? ” asked Ebony, with a per- 
plexed air. " If de ody was nuffin, how could it do 
suffin?” 

“Simply enough,” returned the guide. “The 
charm consisted merely in^noise. The natives, in 
canoes and on both sides of the lake, shouted 
furiously and beat the water with branches of trees, 
so that the poor crocodiles were scared away. See 
— there is something of the same sort going to be 
performed just now.” 

Previous to this process, however, the chief 
Voalavo went through a singular ceremony to 
propitiate the crocodiles. The Malagasy,- like the 
ancient Egyptians, regard the crocodile with super- 
stitiousu veneration. They esteem him the- king of 
the -waters, and to dispute his right to reign would, 
they believe, expose them to his vengeance. Hence 
they seldom kill crocodiles, and rather avoid what- 
ever is likely to provoke them. It is their custom 


THE TYEANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


99 


also, sometimes to make solemn speeches and vows 
to the crocodiles when about to cross rivers. 

Voalavo, who was unusually reckless, free-and- 
easy, and regardless in ordinary affairs, was never- 
theless remarkably ' superstitious. Before giving 
orders to cross the river, therefore, he advanced to 
the water’s edge and mumbled incantations or made 
vows in a low tone for nearly half-an-hour. Then, 
elevating his voice, so as to be heard across the 
river, he continuedj addressing the. crocodiles : — 

“ Now, I pray you, good mamba, to do me no 
injury, and particularly to spare my cattle, for you do 
not know what trouble I have had to get them. No 
doubt you know how anxious I and my people are 
to eat them, for you have much of the same desire ; 
but I beseech you to exercise self-denial. You don’t 
know how pleasant that will make you feel ! Ee- 
member that I have never done your royal race any 
injury-^never waged war with you or killed you. 
On the contrary I have always held you in the 
highest veneration. If you do not remember this, but 
forget it, I and my whole race and all my relatives 
will declare war and fight against you for evermore! 
So be good and do what I tell you ! ” 

“ Now, my men,” he cried, turning round, “ drive 
in the cattle, work the ody, and make all the dogs 
bark 1” 

In the midst of an indescribable hubbub the herds 


100 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


were then driven into the river, and the men — some 
in canoes and some on both banks — enacted the very 
scene which Eavonino had described. In a few 
minutes the whole herd was got over in safety. 

Half-an-hour later and our travellers were seated 
in the chiefs house regaling themselves with beef- 
steaks and marrow-bones, chickens and rice. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


101 


CHAPTEE VTIL 

A FRIEND APPEARS UNEXPECTEDLY, AND OUR TRAVELLERS SPEND 
A DISTURBED NIGHT. 

Whatever ethereal persons may say to the con 
trary, there can be no doubt whatever that the con- 
sumption of food is an intellectual treat, inasmuch 
as it sets the body free from the cravings of appetite, 
and by stimulating those nervous influences which 
convey vigour and vitality to the brain, not only 
becomes the direct cause of physical gratification, but 
induces that state of mind which is most favourable 
to the development of the interesting creations of 
fancy and the brilliant coruscations of imagination. 

We might pursue this subject further did time 
and space permit ; but our objection to “ skipping ” 
is so great, that we shrink from giving the reader 
even a shadow of excuse for doing so. Moreover we 
dread the assault of the hypercritical reader, who 
will infallibly object that it is not the consumption 
of food,’' but the resulting mental effect which is the 
“ intellectual treat.” As if we did not know that ! 

But,” we would retort with scorn, can any cause be 


102 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


separated from its effect without briuging about, so 
to speak, the condition of nonentity 

Passing to the subject which gave rise to these erra- 
tic thoughts, we have to relate that the whole party, 
entertainers and entertained, did ample justice to the 
rice, beef, chicken and marrow-bones, after which 
Hockins wafted the natives to the seventh heaven of 
delight and wonder by means of his flageolet. It 
was very late that night before they retired to rest. 
It was later still before they went to sleep. 

The native village at which our travellers had 
arrived was a rude, poor-looking place, inhabited by 
a brave and warlike tribe, who depended more for 
defence on their personal prowess and the difficulties 
presented by their forests, than upon ditches or 
ramparts. The village was, however, surrounded by 
a fence of trees growing so close together that it 
would have been almost impossible to carry the 
place by assault if resolutely defended from within. 

The huts were roughly constructed of bamboos^ 
plastered with clay and lined with matting, — also 
with the large leaves of the “ traveller’s tree,” and 
thatched with rushes. 

The chief’s hut, in which the white guests were 
feasted, was of course larger and somewhat better in 
construction than the others. Its floor, composed of 
hard-beaten clay, was covered with matting, clean 
pieces of which were spread for the visitors to squat 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


103 


upon, for there were no chairs, stools, or tables. In 
the north-west corner was the hearth — a square of 
between two and three feet, with a few large stones 
for supporting the cooking utensils, but without 
chimney of any kind. Smoke was allowed to find 
an exit as it best could by crevices in the roof and 
by a small window or hole in the north gable. A 
few cooking-pots, earthen jars, rice-baskets, some 
knives, a wooden chest, and several spears, completed 
the furniture. 

Against the northern roof-post hung a small bottle- 
shaped basket, which contained the household 
sampey, or^god, or charm. In Madagascar this 
usually consists of a meaningless stone ; sometimes a 
chip of wood, the leaf of a tree, or a flower, and this 
is what the natives pray to and profess to trust in ! 

Our travellers found, after supper was over, that 
they were not to sleep in the chiefs house, for they 
were led to that of a head man of the village, and 
told they were to rest with him. This man was old, 
and seemed to have no wife or family, for the only 
person at home at the time, besides himself, was an 
old woman, perhaps his sister, who looked after the 
household. He was a hospitable old man, however, 
and made them heartily welcome to their beds of 
matting in the north end of the hut. Unfortunately 
the south -end of it was usually: occupied by. pigs and 
poultry. These were expelled for the occasion, but 


104 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


they insisted several times on returning to their 
own abode, being unable, apparently, to believe that 
their expulsion was really intended ! As there were 
several openings in the hut, the difficulty of exclud- 
ing the animals was great, for when expelled at one 
hole, amid remonstrative shrieks and screams, they 
quickly re-entered at another with defiant grunts 
and cacklings. 

By stopping up the holes, however, the enemy was 
finally overcome. Then the old man, having retired 
to his corner, and the sister having departed, Mark 
Breezy, J ohn Hockins, J ames Ginger, and Eavonino 
drew round the fire, heaped-on fresh logs, lay 
down at full length on their mats, and prepared 
to enjoy that sleepy chat which not unfrequently 
precedes, sometimes even postpones, repose. 

“That was a curious -speech that Voalavo made to 
the.crocodile, Eavonino,” said Mark. “ Do you really 
think he believed it did any good ? ” 

“ Yes, truly, he- believed it. This is a land of 
charms and superstition. Voalavo is of too honest 
and straightforward a nature to practise what he 
does not believe in.” 

“ Does you b’lieve in churms an’ soopistition ? ” 
asked Ebony, with expectant eyes. 

“ What need to ax that, you stoopid nigger ? ” said 
Hockins ; “ don’t you know he ’s a Christian ? ” 

“ Das true, ’Ockins. I goed an’ forgot.” 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 105 

But tell me, Eavonino, are de crokindiles awrful 
rampageous when dey 're roused ? ” 

“ Yes, they are pretty bad,” said the guide, clearing 
his throat, for he was fond of expatiating on the 
wonders and beauties of his native land! ‘'And 
although they look sluggish enough when sprawling 
on mud-banks, half-asleep in the sun, you would be 
surprised to see them go after- fish, which is their 
principal' food. Their favourite haunts are the deep 
rugged banks of a river or lake overhung with trees, 
where they can hide themselves and watch for prey. 
It is not only in water that they are dangerous. 
They fasten their teeth, if they get the chance, 
on any animal that comes to the river to drink. 
They sometimes get hold of bullocks when drinking, 
and often do so when the cattle are swimming across. 
They are unnaturally ferocious, too, for they will 
devouFtheir -own -young.” 

“ Oh ! de brutes ! ” exclaimed Ebony, poking the 
fire with a bit of stick savagely. “ Don’t de mudders 
fight for de young uns ? ” 

“ Not they. The mothers lay their eggs in the sand 
and leave them to # look after ' themselves. The 
others are sly, and ” 

“ Dat’s de fadders, brudders, an’ unkles ob de eggs, 
you mean ? ” 

“ Yes, that ’s what I mean. The old-he-crocodiles 
watch where the -eggs are .laid, an’ when it’s about 


106 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


time for them to break an’ let the young ones out, 
these monsters go into the water at the edge and 
wait. When the baby-crocodiles get out of prison 
they make straight for the water, where the old 
villains are ready to receive an’ devour them. Some- 
times the young ones are stupid when they are born, 
they take the wrong road and escape their relations’ 
teeth only to get to the rice-grounds and fall into 
the hands of the natives. Many of the eggs, too, 
are, destroyed, before they are hatched, by- vultures 
and other birds, as well as by serpents. Men also 
gather them by hundreds,, boil them and dry them 
in the sun to preserve them for use or sale.” 

“ The miserable young things seem to have a poor 
chance of life then,” said Mark, sleepily. 

"Das so, massa. I’d rader be a nigger dan a 
crokindile.” 

Hockins said nothing, being sound asleep. 

“What makes that rattling among the cooking- 
pots 1 ” asked Mark, looking round lazily. 

“ Eats,” replied the guide. “ Didn’t you see them 
running along the roof when you came in ? ” 

“No, I didn’t.” 

“ Look up now, then, and you ’ll see them on the 
beams.” 

Mark and Ebony both looked up, and beheld a 
row of rats on the beam overhead — their bead-like 
eyes glittering as they gazed over one side of the 


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NOCTURNAL VISITORS.— Page 107. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 107 

beam, and their long tails just showing on the 
other. 

“ Das funny,” said the negro, who was in sympathy 
with the whole brute creation ! 

Mark thought it very much the ^reverse of funny, 
but held his peace. 

“Dar’s a ole grey un, massa, right ober ’Ockins’s 
head — a tremenjous big un. Don’t you see ’im wid 
a griggy young un beside ’im ? ” 

Whether the griggy young one was also larky we 
cannot tell, but while the negro was speaking it 
executed a flourish (whether intentional or otherwise 
who can say ?) which knocked the big grey rat off 
the beam, and caused it to fall with a heavy flop on 
Hockins’s face. Three others fell off in their anxiety 
to observe the result. 

Hockins leapt up with an indignant roar, and the 
rats leaped among the pots and pans with a horrified 
squeak, while Ebony and the others looked on with 
excruciating enjoyment. 

The scurrying of many little feet among the house- 
hold implements told that the grey rat’s friends were 
numerous though unseen, and the angry grunting of 
pigs proved that other slumbers had been broken. 
Of course the whole party were thoroughly awakened 
by this incident, but they took it good-humouredly, 
and, after replenishing the fire, lay down again, and 
resolutely shut their eyes and ears. 


108 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Slumber was once more stealing over them, when 
a noise at the door of the hut awakened them. Next 
moment they started up, for two warriors of the tribe 
entered with a prisoner between them. 

''We caught this man entering our village,” said 
one of the warriors, fiercely, to the guide ; " we would 
have taken him to our chief, but he says that you 
are his friend — yet I think he lies.” 

" He speaks the truth,” returned Eavonino, calmly. 
" He is my friend. Doubtless he has good reasons 
for coming here. Leave him with us, we will guard 
him till morning.” 

. The warriors at once released their prisoner and 
retired, while the man stepping forward into clearer 
light revealed the handsome countenance of Lai- 
hova. 

"Sit down, my brother,” said Eavonino to the 
youth, in tones of unusual tenderness, " and let me 
know what brings you here so unexpectedly.” 

" I come to offer my service,” replied the youth, 
with a modest air. " You have told me that you go 
to Antananarivo to rescue Eafaravavy. Your face 
is known to every one in the town. If you enter 
it, your death will be certain.” 

" But I do not intend to enter it,” said Eavonino, 
" these ray white friends will aid me.” 

" The white men may be wise and brave, but they 
know not how to aid you. I am not so well known 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 109 

in the town. I will venture into it and will show 
them where to go and what to do.’^ 

The guide shook his head and was silent for some 
moments. He seemed uncertain how to act. 

“ What says Laihova ? ” asked Mark Breezy at this 
point, for the conversation having been conducted 
in the native tongue they as yet understood nothing. 

The guide briefly explained, and then turned to 
the young man. 

“ But how can you think of leaving your friends in 
the cave, Laihova ? They may require your strong 
arm ; and my sister is ” 

“It was my friends who advised me to leave 
them,” said the youth, quickly, “ and Ea-Euth bade 
me go. Besides, have we not entered into the Cove- 
nant of Blood ? ” 

“ Well, you may come with us. After all, Ea- 
Euth is right.” 

“ What does ha mean by the^ovenant of Blood ? ” 
asked Mark when the guide explained what had 
just been said. 

“ It means that he and I are united by one of the 
closest ties that bind the men of this island. No 
doubt you will think it a strange alliance, neverthe- 
less it is a true and a strong bond of brotherhood. 
It is meant to unite two people in sacred friendship, 
so that ever afterwards they feel bound to help and 
defend each other. When two persons agree to form 


no 


THE FUGITIVES, OK 


this bond, a meeting is arranged for the performance 
of the ceremony and taking the vow. Some gun- 
powder and a ball are brought, with a little ginger, 
a spear, and two particular kinds of grass. A fowl 
is also used. Its head is nearly cut oft', and it is left 
to bleed during the ceremony. Then a long vow of 
mutual friendship, assistance, and defence is pro- 
nounced. After this each man drinks a few drops 
of the other’s blood. To obtain it they make a small 
cut in the skin of the centre of the bosom, which 
they call 'the mouth of the heart.’” 

“And did you go through this ceremony with 
Laihova ” asked Mark. 

“ I did, many years ago, when we were little more 
than boys. He saved my life by jumping into a deep 
pool in a lake and rescuing me from the crocodiles. 
I had fallen in off the steep bank. I could not swim, 
and he could. After that we made the alliance of 
brotherhood. Laihova was not a Christian at that 
time. Since then God has made use of me to rescue 
him from a more awful death than that which threat- 
ened me. Laihova is grateful, and, knowing that I 
run much risk in going near the capital, has come, 
as you see, to help me.” 

“Not a bad style of brotherhood that,” said 
Hockins, with a tremendous yawn. “ Eh, Ebony ? 
What d’ee think of you an’ me goin’ in for the 
same sort o’ thing ? ” 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 1 1 1 

“ P’r’aps,” answered Ebony, with a responsive 
yawn which threw that of Hockins quite into the 
shade, ** pVaps black blood mightn’t agree wid your 
stummick. But I say, Massa Breezy, don’ you tink 
it a’most time we was goin’ to sleep ? ” 

As the night was far spent — or, rather, the morn- 
ing far advanced — by that time, the whole party 
willingly assented. Laihova was supplied with a 
separate mat, the embers of the wood-fire were 
drawn together, and they all lay down once more 
to make the most of what remained of the period of 
repose. But circumstances were against them. 

True, being tired and healthy men, they dropped 
off at once with the facility of infants, and during 
a quarter of an hour or so, while the fire continued to 
emit an occasional flicker, all went well ; but when 
the last vestige of flame died away, the 'rats again 
came out with bead-like eyes and cautious dread. 
Gradually they became 'bolder. Impunity never 
fails to encourage-presumption. In short they soon 
began to hold a sort of- carnival. The pots and pans 
became, as it were, musical, to the evident distress 
of the slumbering seaman — especially when the 
large grey rat fairly overturned a small rice-jar, 
which in its fall removed several props from other 
utensils and caused a serious clatter. Still the 
wearied men slept through it all, until the enemy 
took to scampering over their bodies. Then the 


112 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


enraged Ebony, being partially awakened, made a 
fierce grasp at one of the foe, and caught Hockins 
by the ear. Of course the result was a howl, and a 
sleepy request from Mark, to “ Stop that noise ! ” 

But even that incident failed to arouse them 
thoroughly, though it filled the rats with temporary 
horror, and caused them to flee. 

The last word reminds us that there were others 
there that night, besides rats, to disturb the sleepers’ 
dreams-^but we merely make a suggestive hint at 
that ! 

Soon th& rats returned in greater force and more 
demonstrative, hilarity than ever. They evidently 
went in for a game of hide-and-seek round and over 
the slumberers, causing the sleepy growls of John 
Hockins to resemble the fitful mutterings of distant 
thunder. 

Thus they went on until the grey dawn of morn- 
ing appeared. Then an extremely large cock, in 
the south-east corner of the hut, feeling that it had 
enjoyed a sufficiently good night’s rest, flapped its 
ungainly wings, stretched out its neck, and gave vent 

to a clarion-crow which 

Brute ! ” exclaimed Hockins, not even giving us 
time to finish the sentence ! 

He said no other word, but seizing a piece of 
wood, sent it forth with such true and effective aim, 
that he cleared not only the cock, but all his wives 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 113 

off their perch, and sent them in cackling conster- 
nation out of the hut by the nearest hole in the 
wall. 

After that the much-tried party slumbered in 
peace until the sun was high. 



H 


lU 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


CHAPTEE IX. 

A JOVIAL CHIEF, AND NEW EXPERIENCES OF VARIOUS KINDS. 

The friendly hospitality of the chief of this 
village was found to be likely to cause delay, 
for he would not hear of his visitors departing 
until they had been feasted and entertained with 
games and hunting. 

As they were completely in his power there was 
nothing for it but to submit with the best grace 
possible, although Eavonino was naturally anxious 
to push on. 

“ You see it won’t do to look as if we were in- 
different to his hospitality,” said the guide. “He 
would be greatly offended, for you must know that 
the Malagasy .pride themselvesi on their hospitality. 
Come, we will go and have a look at the neighbour- 
ing woods while they are preparing breakfast for us, 
and I will tell you a story about the late King 
Eadama.” 

“Was that the good king you told us about who 
did so much for the missionaries, though he wasn’t 
a Christian himself?” asked Hockins, as they all 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 115 

passed through the enclosure of the village and 
entered the woods. 

‘"Yes, the same,” replied the guide, “though 
whether he was a Christian or not I cannot tell. I 
judge no man. He made no profession of Chris- 
tianity, but he was ’-kind to the missionaries — very 
different from Eanavalona.” 

“ Das de oosurper, what you call ’er ?” said 
Ebony. 

“Just so,” returned the guide. “Well, as I was 
saying, our people are very hospitable. Everywhere, 
almost, throughout the country, when a traveller 
enters a village, a present is usually brought tp him 
of rice, poultry, or fruit, or whatever they have on 
hand. You 11 find out that for yourselves as you 
go along — ” 

“ A bery proper state ob tings,” remarked Ebony. 

“And whatever house you come to,” continued 
Eavonino, “ the »• owner will invite you politely to 
enter, and make you welcome. Of course there are 
greedy and surly people here and there, but these 
are an exception to the rule. Well, on one occasion 
King Eadama heard of some people of that sort. 
You must know that our chiefs have always required 
that they should be entertained on the best the 
people could provide. It is an old custom. WeU, 
Eadama made a law that all the provisions and 
other kinds of property should belong to the people, 


116 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


but all the houses in the country should belong to 
the sovereign; and he ordered the inhabitants to 
furnish lodgings to his servants and soldiers wherever 
they went. In order to make sure that his orders 
were obeyed the King soon after went in disguise 
to a village some distance off, and towards evening 
entered a peasant’s house and asked to be taken in 
for the night. 

‘^The heads of the family did not refuse, but 
rendered their hospitality in such a way as showed 
that he was not welcome. Next day he went to 
another house. There he was kindly welcomed, 
civilly treated, and the best they had in the house 
was set before him. In the morning when taking 
leave he made himself known, no less to the surprise 
than consternation of the family, and he left, assur- 
ing them that their hospitality should not be 
forgotten. The King kept his word, for he after- 
wards sent his ofi&cers to the village with a stern 
reproof to his first entertainer and a handsome 
present to the other.” 

Just as the guide finished his anecdote a resplen- 
dent butterfly of enormous size rose from the bushes, 
and Mark, to whom it was quite a new specimen, 
bounded after it, but failed to effect a capture. 

‘‘Neber mind, massa,” said the sympathetic 
Ebony, “ you T1 hab better luck nix’ time — p’r’aps ! ” 

“Besides,” added the guide, “there are plenty 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 1 1 7 

more where that came from, for we have got into a 
good region for insects.” 

“ Seems to me,” said Hockins, “ it ’s a good region 
for everything. Look at that now,” — ^he pointed to 
an object in front of him. “ I would say that was 
a spider if it warn’t as big as a bird, and hadn’t set 
up a fishin’-net for a web 1” 

Although not strictly correct, the seaman’s de- 
scription had a foundation in truth, for some of the 
spiders of Madagascar are enormous, and their webs 
so thick that it requires a considerable effort to 
break them. Moreover they are said to be ^ poison- 
ous, and the bite of some even deadly. 

The contemplation of those creatures, however, 
had to be cut short at that time, as they did not 
dare to risk keeping Voalavo waiting breakfast for 
them. 

“We are going to stick pigs and hunt wild cattle,” 
said the jovial chief, with his mouth full of chicken 
and rice, when they arrived. “We will show the 
white men some fun.” 

On this being translated Ebony hoped that the 
black man was included in the white, and Mark 
asked if the hunting-ground was far off. 

“ A long way,” said the chief, “ we shan’t reach it 
tiU night. But that ’s no matter, for night is our 
time to hunt.” 

He said this with a twinkle in his eye, for he 


118 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


saw well enough that his guests were impatient to 
be gone. 

" But,” continued he, on observing that they did 
not seem cheered by the prospect, “ our road to the 
hunting-plain lies on your way to Antananarivo, so 
you won’t lose time.” 

As he spoke he opened a small box containing a 
brown sort of dust, of which he put as much as he 
possibly could between the teeth of his lower jaw 
and the lip. 

What in all the world is he doin’ ? ” asked 
Hockins of the guide in a low tone. 

“ He is taking snuff.” 

“ I always s’posed,” remarked Ebony, “ dat snuff 
was tooken by de nose ! ” 

So it is, they tell me, in England ; but we have a 
different fashion here, as you see, and quite as foolish.” 

You don’t mean that it ’s tobacco he treats in 
that way ? ” exclaimed Mark. 

“ Hot pure tobacco, but tobacco mixed with other 
things — something like the cheap cigars which you 
English are said to smoke ! ” replied Eavonino with 
something of a humorous twinkle in his eyes. “ But 
we don’t smoke. We only snuff. In making our 
snuff we first dry the tobacco leaves and grind them 
to powder. Then to this we add the ashes of the 
leaves of a sweet-smelling herb, the mixture being 
twice as much tobacco as ashes ; a small quantity 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


119 


of potash or salt is added, and then it is considered 
fit for use.” 

“Don’t your people smoke at all?” asked 
Hockins. 

“ Not much, and never tobacco— except those on 
the coast who have been* corrupted by Europeans. 
Some of us used to smoke rongona, a kind of hemp. 
It is a powerful stimulant, and used to be taken by 
warriors before going out to battle, because it drove 
them nearly- mad, and so ^ fitted them for their 
bloody work. Government has lately forbidden its 
use — but it is still used in secret.” 

“ They’ve got baccy, an’ don’t smoke!” murmured 
Hockins to himself in a kind of meditative surprise, 
as though he had just been told that the natives 
possessed food and did not eat. 

“ But you don’t smoke ? ” remarked the guide. 

“ That ’s ’cause I hain’t got baccy nor pipe. You 
give me pipe and baccy an’ I ’ll smoke you into fits 
in no time.” 

“ Do you feel the want of it much ? ” 

“ Not much. At first I did, most awful, but now 
I ’m gettin’ over it.” 

The guide was silent. He might have remarked, 
“ Yet now, if you had tha chance, you would enslave 
yourself ! ” but, not being of an argumentative 
turn of mind, he merely shook his head and 
changed the subject. It was well, for Hockins was 


120 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


one of those people who, “ if convinced against their 
will, remain of the same opinion still.” 

After breakfast, while the young men of the tribe 
armed themselves and made preparation for the 
expedition, Eavonino took his friends through the 
village, the inhabitants of which were evidently as 
deeply interested in seeing the white men as the 
latter were in seeing the brown ; for each were 
objects of curiosity to the other. 

During the stroll our friends saw the weaving of 
the lamha — the large plaid-like garment of hempen 
cloth worn extensively in the island. The looms 
were rude and simple, but the fabrics produced 
were wonderfully good in appearance and texture, 
some being made of a kind of coarse silk. Many of 
them were ornamented, and rendered very heavy 
with immense quantities of small leaden beads 
fastened to the garment either in straight or curved 
rows, the lead having been procured from traders at 
the coast, and the beads having been manufactured 
by themselves. These natives wore but little 
clothing — merely a cloth round the loins, and 
sometimes a jacket made of coarse material. The 
lamba is usually worn over the shoulders in the 
cool of the morning, but at the time we write of 
most of the men who used the garment had bound 
it tightly round their waists. 

Our travellers were made acquainted at this 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 121 

time with a game which interested them greatly — 
especially arousing the enthusiasm of the negro. It 
was a kicking game, played by some of the more 
active among the young men, who, having got ready 
for the field quickly, were waiting for their slower 
companions. The chief peculiarity of the game 
consisted in the mode of kicking, namely back- 
wards, in the horse or donkey fashion. The guide 
explained that the name of the game, when literally 
translated, was, “ striking blue with the sole of the 
foot I” It is a desperate game, and when played, 
as it frequently is, by hundreds of active and 
powerful young men, the results are sometimes 
sprained ankles, broken legs, etc. 

Oh ! das de game for me !” cried the enthusiastic 
Ebony, who could hardly be restrained from joining. 
“De sole ob my foot’s awrful broad, an’ I could 
strike black as well as blue. Do let me try, massa ! ” 

Eortunately, perhaps, for our negro, the chief 
came out of his hut at that moment and gave the 
signal for the hunters to advance, thus bringing the 
game and Ebony’s aspirations to an abrupt end. 
The young men at once fell to the rear, and the 
whole party sallied forth into the forest. 

It was magnificent weather, with just cloud 
enough to prevent the sun being overpoweringly 
hot, and the tract of country over which they 
passed was surpassingly beautiful. To Mark Breezy 


122 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


it seemed as if all the winged insects in the island 
had come forth to welcome him. There were butter- 
flies of various sizes and brilliant colours flitting to 
and fro among the wild-flowers, besides dragon-flies, 
grasshoppers of exquisite beauty, spiders with coats 
of gold and silver, caterpillars half-a-foot long in 
gorgeous array of black, scarlet, and yellow, and 
many other creatures which we may not pause to 
describe here, though Mark and the guide frequently 
paused to look at them, insomuch that they were 
often left a considerable way behind. One of the 
butterflies which Mark caught at that time was very 
beautiful, and a slow flier. It actually measured 
eigh touches across the extended wings. 

Of larger animals they saw none ; and it may be 
as well to remark here that there are no large car- 
nivora in Madagascar — no lions, tigers, leopards, 
panthers, or creatures of that sort — nothing larger 
than a wild-cat and a wolf being known. Neither are 
there elephants, giraffes, rhinoceroses, hippopotami, 
antelope, nor deer ; the only large animals being two 
species of ox, and the wild-boar, goats and sheep, and 
crocodiles. There are also huge bats, an animal of the 
monkey tribe called the lemur, hedgehogs, and rabbits. 

The lemurs are very pretty little things, and, 
being gentle affectionate creatures, are sometimes 
tamed and kept as pets. 

The scenery, we have said, was beautiful. At 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


123 


one turn of the road in particular a landscape of 
such beauty appeared suddenly before them that 
Mark was arrested as if spell-hound ; it was such a 
gorgeous combination of luxuriant foliage — ferns 
and palms and bamboos, interlaced with creepers, 
and enlivened by streams which brawled and 
tumbled in picturesque cascades, over which 
hundreds of butterflies sported in the sunshine. 
From the height of land on which they stood a 
wide, well-watered plain was seen to extend far 
below them. It was hemmed in on either side by 
wooded hills and backed by the interior highlands. 
Far down the hillside their companions could be 
seen wending their way through the tangled 
shrubbery, just in rear of the native hunters, led by 
their energetic chief Voalavo. As the men carried 
spears, the points of which glittered in the sun, the 
party had quite a martial aspect. 

To our young student the whole scene was 
enchanting. It had the effect of subduing and 
solemnising his feelings in a way which he had 
never before experienced. The earnest, religious 
cast of his companion’s spirit also tended not a little 
to deepen this feeling and induce him for the first 
time in his life to understand that “ nature’s God ” 
was in very truth present with him. 

'‘Is not the 'hand of the Master- here ? ” said 
Favonino, after a long silence. 


124 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


“Truly, my friend, it- is,” replied the young man, 
“and your remark puts me to shame. For, many a 
time, through the microscope and the human frame 
and the surrounding world, might I have seen this 
Master-hand everywhere — if my eyes had been 
open.” 

The guide turned on Mark an earnest, inquiring 
look. 

“Friend,” he said, impressively, “ if this be so, you 
are now very specially awakened to the Truth. If 
you have passed through and seen so much without 
recognising God in his creatures, you have been 
brought for the first time to know yourself. Turn 
now — now — to the Saviour, and you will henceforth 
see a glory in all things that you never saw before. 
Turn, my friend-^for * now is the accepted time.’ ” 

Eavonino spoke with such an earnest look and 
tone that the youth could not doubt the sincerity 
of his belief in the Saviour whom he, so affection- 
ately held up to his view. 

“Eavonino, I believe you are^ right. God help 
me to turn ! ” 

“ He has helped you already,” said the guide. 
“ That prayer, if true, never yet came from an un- 
renewed heart.” 

As he spoke a shout from those further down the 
hill-side stopped the conversation and obliged the 
friends to resume the descent. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


125 


“That is the plain, I am told,” said Eavonino, 
“ where they expect to find wild cattle, and where 
we shall have to encamp, no doubt, till night enables 
us to hunt.” 

“Not a very cheerful time to go sporting,” said 
Mark. 

“They do not count it sport,” remarked his 
comrade, gravely. “They are short of meat, and 
hunt for food.” 

A few minutes later and the party was encamped 
in the thick woods that bordered the plain. 


126 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


CHAPTER X. 

TELLS OF A GRAND HUNT AND OTHER THINGS. 

While the party of hunters awaited the 
approach of night (for the wild cattle feed chiefly 
at night) they kept as quiet as possible. The 
scouts had brought news that a large herd was 
feeding on a part of the plain which was not far 
distant, although concealed from view by the 
formation of the land. 

Still thinking of the recent conversation which 
he had had with the guide, Mark Breezy retired a 
little from the rest of the party and flung himself 
on the ground under a tree to rest and meditate. 

He was not left long, however, in solitude, for 
Hockins and Ebony soon discovered his retreat. 
Each of these worthies was armed with a spear. 

“Hallo, Doctor,” exclaimed the former, as he 
came up, “ are you not supplied with a weapon ? ” 

“ Yes, I am,” replied Mark, pointing to a native 
spear which lay at his side, “ but I think I won’t 
use it.” 

“Why not, massa ?” asked Ebony. 


THE TYEANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


127 


“ Because I don’t yet know how to go about this 
style of hunting, and if I were to attempt anything 
I might spoil the sport. I intend merely to look on.” 

“Eight you are, sir,” remarked the sailor. 
P’r’aps it ’ll be as well for all of us to keep in the 
background.” 

“ Pooh ! ” ejaculated Ebony, turning up his nose 
— a needless action, as it was well turned up 
already — “pooh! I not keep in de background! 
You’re all wrong. W’en you knows nuffin, jest you 
wait till you knows suffin — ebber so little — an’ den 
go at ’im.” 

“That’s just what I said I should do, Ebony. 
I will merely look on at first.” 

“ But how long does you prepose to look on, 
massa? Ain’t five or six minits enufif? Dis is 
what I ’s a-gwine to do. I ’ll foller close on de 
chief — what you call ’im ? — Vollyvo — an’ w’en I 
sees him stick one hox, das nuff for me. I den go at 
’im on my own hook, an’ stick away right an’ left ! ” 

“ I ’ll give you a wide berth, then, for it ’s as- like 
as not that you ’ll -utick some o’ the hunters in the 
dark,” said Hockins, rising, for just then there was 
a ,stir in the camp as if preparation was being 
made to go. out. 

A few minutes later and Laihova came to them 
with the news that he had heard the chief say they 
were getting ready, as it was necessary to make a 


128 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


loDg round through the woods to get well to leeward 
of the cattle. 

This process of getting ready consisted in every 
man stripping and washing himself all over in order 
to get rid of the smell of the smoke of their huts. 
Even the guests were obliged to conform to the 
custom. Then they set off in profound silence, 
every man being armed with a couple of spears, 
excepting the guests, who were allowed only one 
spear each, it being feared that if they carried two 
they might chance to rattle them together and thus 
alarm the game, for the kind of cattle they were 
about to attack are exceedingly active and suspicious 
— always on the alert, continually snuffing and 
snorting at the bare idea, as it were, of an approach- 
ing enemy. Unlike the tame cattle of the island, 
these animals have no hump, but strongly resemble 
the ordinary cattle of England, save that their 
horns are shorter and their bellowings deeper. 
They are, however, very savage, and when wounded 
or annoyed are apt to attack their enemies with 
terrible ferocity. 

To Mark Breezy and his companions the expedition 
proved to be full of excitement, for, apart from the 
novelty of the situation and uncertainty as to what 
lay before them or was expected of them, the extreme 
darkness of the night, and the quick silent stealthy 
motion of the almost invisible hunters, filled their 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAE. 


129 


minds with — if we may say so — awfully pleasurable 
anticipations ! 

The whole band followed their chief in single file, 
and as he was intimately familiar with the topo- 
graphy of the region, the only anxiety of each man 
was to tread carefully in his footsteps. 

As for Ebony, his whole soul and spirit were in 
the enterprise, as well as his black body, and the 
varying expression of his mobile features would 
have charmed the heart of a physiognomist, had 
such a man been there with light enough to enable 
him to see. As there was no physiognomist, and 
no light, the reader must fall back on imagination. 

Intent on carrying out his pre-arranged plans, our 
negro walked close behind the chief-^so close indeed, 
that he inadvertently brought his spear down rather 
heavily on the left shoulder of that fiery person, for 
which he received a buffet on the ear, and an order 
to keep further back. In other circumstances the 
plucky spirit of Ebony would have been roused to 
indignation — perhaps to retaliation ; but a sense of 
justice was strong in that negro’s breast. Over- 
whelmed with shame at his clumsiness, and eager to 
rectify the error — yet not daring to speak, for silence 
had been strictly enjoined — he raised the spear over 
his shoulder and turned the point backwards, thereby 
bringing it down on the head of the man in the rear. 

Doubly shocked at this, he raised his weapon to 
I 


130 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


the perpendicular, and knocked some tropical bird 
violently off the lower branches of a tree. It 
fluttered screeching to the ground, and bounced 
angrily into the bushes. 

The whole band of hunters came to a sudden and 
breathless halt, but no word was uttered. In a few 
moments the chief resumed his silent march, and 
the ghostly column moved on — Ebony, greatly sub- 
dued but by no means crushed, keeping his weapon 
at such a slope as would prevent its doing damage 
to birds above or men below. 

Thus they proceeded for nearly an hour, at the 
end of which time they could hear the wild cattle 
roaring and bellowing not far off. 

When the hunters had got' completely to leeward, 
and were beginning to draw quite near to the feed- 
ing-ground, they advanced with increased caution, 
and some of the men began to pull the tops of the 
grass with their hands, as they went, in order to 
mimic as nearly as possible the noise made by an 
ox grazing. 

The instant this sound reached the ears of the 
cattle they became absolutely silent, neither bellow- 
ing nor feeding ! It was evident that they were 
listening with the utmost attention. Understanding 
this, the hunters stood quite still, without a whisper, 
but a few of those who were adepts at the art con- 
tinued their imitation of cropping the grass. After 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


131 


listening for a time the animals appeared to arrive 
at the conclusion that it was a false alarm, for they 
re-commenced feeding, and the hunters continued 
their stealthy approach. 

Soon they came to the thinly scattered shrubbery 
which marked the termination of the woods and the 
beginning of the plain. And now, profoundly dark 
though the night was, they could faintly ^perceive 
the. forms of their. game looming black against the 
dark sky beyond— themselves being quite -invisible, 
however, owing to their -background of forest. 

Nearer and nearer the men moved, still cropping 
the grass as they advanced, until they fairly got up 
to the. herd, and were less -liable to- disturb them, 
for, being almost invisible, they were, no doubt, mis- 
taken for- members of the family ! 

As the hunters now scattered. Ebony had some 
difficulty in -keeping close enough to the- chief to 
observe his movements. Voalavo himself was too 
intent upon his work to think of anything else, or 
to care who was near him. 

Gradually he -approached - close - enough to an 
animal to thrust his spear deep into its side. It 
sprang from the ground and made a noise as if hurt 
by the horn of a comrade, but this is so common an 
event that the rest of the cattle were in no way dis- 
turbed by it. 

The chief saw by the staggering of the -animal 


132 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


that it was mortally wounded, and that there was 
no need to follow it up, as it could be easily tracked 
and found in daylight. He therefore turned to 
attack another animal that was close at hand. 

“Now den,” said Ebony to himself mentally, 
“ your time ’s come. Go at ’im ! ” 

Lowering his weapon to the charge, he glanced 
round and observed the indistinct form of an animal 
on his right. It was apparently a little one. 

“^Weal is as good as beef,” thought Ebony, as he 
made a silent but furious rush, scarcely able to 
restrain a shout of anticipated victory. 

The spear-point missed the animal, just grazing 
its back, and went deep into the ground, while the 
negro plunged with crushing violence on the baek 
of John Hockins, who had been trying to approach 
his game a la Eed Indian ! 

To say that poor Ebony was filled with horror, as 
well as shame and self-abhorrence, is but a feeble 
statement. 

“Don’t speak, you black monster ! ” whispered the 
seaman in his ear, as he seized him by the throat. 

The rush of apology which had sprung from 
Ebony’s heart was checked abruptly at the lips. 

Hockins released him, picked up his spear, and 
resumed his creeping way. By this time several of 
the hunters had dealt silent death around them, but 
still the herd failed to take alarm ! 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 133 

Being left alone , Ebony’s courage returned, and 
with it his enthusiasm. 

“ Come,” he muttered, mentally, as he drew the 
spear from the ground, “ ’Ockins not killed yet. Das 
one good ^ job. No use ta cry for not’ing. You try 
again. Gin j ah. Better luck nixt time.” 

Greatly - encouraged by these thoughts he 
advanced on tip-toe — spear at the charge — eyes 
glancing sharply all round. Suddenly a tall form 
seemed to »rise up right in front of him. The 
negro’s heart leaped violently. He was on the 
point of charging when a doubt assailed him. The 
creature before, him, though scarce distinguishable 
from the surrounding gloom, was not, long-bodied 
like an ox. He could perceive that clearly. It was 
tall like a man — very tall. Perhaps it was Mark 
Breezy ? The recent mistake made him think any- 
thing possible ! 

“ Is dat you, massa ? ” he whispered, in anxious 
alarm. 

A furious bellow was the reply, followed by a 
still more furious charge. Ebony had forgotten 
that an ox “ end on ” and head up is tall and not 
long ! 

Happily, in .stepping back he. tripped, and the 
animal went .right over him. But the alarm had 
been given, and a sudden Thundering of feet told 
that the entire herd had taken to flight, while the 


134 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


shouting and cries of the hunters, added to the 
confused roaring, showed that there was now no 
need for concealment. 

When the muster-roll was called it was found 
that nobody was missing or hurt, though several had 
to tell of narrow escapes, especially J ohn Hockins, 
whose account of Ebony’s exploit formed, at the 
feast that followed, subject of interesting converse 
and much comment during the brief intervals of 
relaxation between beef-steaks and marrow-bones. 

Daylight revealed the fact that somewhere 
between thirty and forty animals had been killed 
outright, besides a dozen or so which, having been 
fatally wounded, were afterwards followed up and 
some of them secured. 

But daylight also brought a large party of men 
from a distant village with a pressing invitation to 
Voalavo and his men to pay them a visit, and a 
possibly disinterested offer to assist him in the 
consumption of the cattle which he had slain ; for it 
chanced that several young men of this village were 
encamped in the woods that night near the spot 
where the hunters attacked the cattle. Knowing 
full well what was being done, these youths hurried 
home to tell what was going on. The head-man of 
the village was on good terms with Voalavo at the 
time, besides being a distant relative. Hence the 
message and the invitation. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


135 


As our happy-go-lucky chief was out in what may 
be termed a larky state of mind, and had nothing 
particular to do, he accepted the invitation. The 
meat was slung to bamboo poles, hoisted on the 
. shoulders of his men, and away they went over the 
plains to pay this visit. Happily the village lay on 
the way to the capital, so that the guide and his 
party could still accompany them without losing 
ground. 

The plain over which they passed was a very 
wide one, seeming to . extend to the very base of 
the distant mountains of the interior, but our 
travellers were mistaken in their ideas about it. 
The plain was itself part of the mountain region 
into which they had already advanced, but by so 
gradual an ascent that they had scarcely perceived 
the rise in the land — a deception which was in- 
creased somewhat by the frequent descents they 
had to make when passing over ridges. 

On the way Hockins pushed up alongside of 
Kavonino, who was walking beside Mark. 

“ Eavvy,” said the seaman (for to this had he at 
last curtailed the guide’s name), “ where do these 
fellows fall in wi’ the iron to make their spear- 
heads and other things ? ” 

“ In the. earth,” answered the guide. 

“What ! D’ee mean to say that you manufacture 
your own iron in them parts ? ” 


136 


THE FUGITIVES, OK 


“ Of course we do. Think you that no people can 
work in iron except the British ? We have plenty 
iron ore of good quality in the island. One of our 
naountains is so full of ore that we call it the 
iron mountain. It is named in our language the 
mountain of Ambohimiangavo.” 

“ An’ how d’ee work the ore o’ this Am — ^Ambo — 
bo — bominable-avo mountain ? ” asked the sailor. 

‘‘We smelt it, of course. We break the lumps 
of ore into smallish bits and spread them on char- 
coal, layer and layer about, in a hollow in the 
ground. This is covered over with a top-dressing of 
stone and clay. Then we set it on fire and keep the 
blast going with wooden bellows, till the metal is 
melted and runs in a mass to the bottom of the hole. 
This we break into smaller pieces, purify them with 
more fire, and run them into bars convenient for use. 
Our bellows,” continued the guide, “ are not like 
yours, with two boards and leather between. The 
rats would soon make short work with these. They 
are two cylinders formed from the trunk of a tree, 
with a piston in each, packed with coarse cloth, and 
having valves. An old musket-barrel carries the 
air to the furnace, and, by pumping them time 
about, the blow is kept going continuously.” 

“ Why, how do you come to know so much about 
valves, pistons, cylinders, and such like ? ” asked 
Mark. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


137 


“You forget that myiather was an Englishman,” 
returned the guide, “ and, besides being a trader, was 
a sort of Jack- of -all- trades. He taught me many 
things about which the kinsfolk of my mother know 
very little. You must not suppose that because 
some of us are only half-civilised we can do nothing 
neatly or well. Many of our men are skilful 
workers in -metal, and we owe much of our power 
in that way to English missionaries, who brought 
Christian mechanics to the 'capital. There is hardly 
anything in the shape of wrought ironwork that we 
cannot execute if we have a model or pattern. We 
can work also in copper and brass. But it is not 
only in metals that we can work fairly well — indeed 
very well, if we are to take the word of some of 
your own, countrymen who have seen and judged 
our work — we are also pretty good at pottery and 
cabinet-making. As you have seen, we can weave 
good cloth of cotton and silk, and some of our in- 
genious men have even tried their hands at clock- 
making and musical instruments.” 

“From what you say, Madagascar will soon 
become a great country, I should think,” said Mark, 
somewhat amused as well as interested by the evi- 
dent enthusiasm of the guide. 

Eavonino shook his head. “ My country might 
become . great,” he returned, “but there are some 
things much against her. The system of forced 


138 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


service to the government instead of taxes is one. 
This tends to repress ingenuity, for the cleverer and 
more ingenious a man is the more will be demanded 
of him, both by the government and his own feudal 
superior. Then the love of strong drink is too 
common among us; and last, as well as most serious, 
great multitudes of our people have no regard at all 
for their Maker.” 

« Why, Eavonino,” said Mark, with something of 
a smile, “ from the way you speak of ‘ our ' people 
and ‘ my ’ country, I fear you think more of your 
Malagasy than your English extraction.” 

For a few moments the guide was silent. At 
length he said, slowly, “ England has indeed done 
us a service that we can never repay. She has sent 
us the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ. She is also 
the land of my father, and I reverence my father. 
He was very kind and good to me. But this is the 
land of my mother ! I am a man of Madagascar.” 

It was evident from the expressive features of 
Ebony, who had joined them, that he heartily 
approved of this maternal preference, but the 
gravity of the guide’s countenance, no dess than 
his pathetic tones, prevented his giving the usual 
candid vent to his ever-ready opinion. 

Towards the afternoon the party arrived at the 
native village, where grand preparations for festivi- 
ties had been made. It was evident also that some 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


139 


parts of the festive libations had been taken in ad- 
vance, for the head-man had reached the solemnised 
point of intoxication, and some of hi's young men 
the owlish condition. 

In some parts of this island of Madagascar, as 
in other parts of the world, the people reduced 
themselves to great -poverty through strong drink. 
Though they had abundance of rice, and much beef, 
which latter was salted for exportation, they sold so 
much of their food for arrack — imported by traders 
from Mauritius and Bourbon — that little was left for 
the bare maintenance of life, and they, with their 
families, were often compelled to subsist on roots. 
They did not understand ‘-'moderate drinking”! 
Intoxication was the rule until the arrack was done. 
The wise King Eadama I. attempted to check the 
consumption of ardent spirits by imposing a heavy 
duty on them, but his efforts were only partially 
successful. 

The tribe to which our travellers were at this 
time introduced had just succeeded in obtaining a 
quantity of the coarse and fiery spirits of the 
traders. Their native visitors being quite ready to 
assist in the consumption thereof, there was every 
prospect of a. disgusting exhibition of savagery that 
night. 

“Don’t you think we might escape this feast?” 
said Mark to the guide, after the ceremony of intro- 


140 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


duction was over, ‘‘ by urging the importance of our 
business at Antananarivo ?” 

“ Not easily. Voalavo is one of those determined 
and hearty men who insist on all their friends 
enjoying themselves as they themselves do. To- 
morrow we may persuade him to let us go. Besides, 
I do not object to stay, for I intend to preach them 
a sermon on ungodliness and intemperance in the 
middle of the feast.” 

Mark could scarcely forbear smiling at what he 
deemed the originality of the guide’s intention, as 
well as the quiet decision with which he stated it. 

“ Don’t you think,” he said, “ that this • way of 
bearding the lion in his den may rouse the people 
to anger ? ” 

“ I know not — I think not ; but it is my business 
to be instant in . season and out of season,” replied 
Eavonino, simply. 

Mark said no more. He felt that he had to do 
with a Christian of a somewhat peculiar type, and 
thereafter he looked forward with not a little 
curiosity and some anxiety to the promised sermon. 
He was doomed, like the reader, to disappointment 
in this matter, for that night had not yet run into 
morning when an event occurred which modified and 
hastened the proceedings of himself and his friends 
considerably. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


141 


CHAPTEE XL 

AN UNINVITED GUEST APPEARS WITH NEWS THAT DEMANDS 
INSTANT ACTION. 

The villagers and their guests were still in the 
midst of the feast, and the arrack had not yet begun 
to stimulate their imaginations, so that the deeds of 
their ancestors — which formed the chief subject of 
conversation — were still being recounted with some 
regard to modesty and truth, when Voalavo said to 
the assemblage, with a beaming countenance, that 
he had a treat in store for them. 

“ You are all fond of music,” he said. “ Who does 
not know that the Malagasy are good singers ? 
The songs you have already sung have delighted my 
ears, and the clapping of your hands has been in 
the best of time; but you shall soon have music 
such as the idols would enjoy, I have no doubt, 
when in a merry mood.” 

The chief uttered the last sentence with an air of 
good-natured contempt, for he was what we may 
style an unbeliever in all gods — not an uncommon 
state of mind in men of superior intelligence when 


142 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


they think seriously of the debasing absurdities of 
idolatry. 

“Now, my friend,” he said, turning to John 
Hockins, with an air and tone of command, “let 
them hear the little pipe on which you — you— tootle- 
ootle.” 

Hockins had much ado to keep his gravity as he 
drew out the flageolet, and every eye was instantly 
fixed on him in glaring expectancy. 

It need hardly be said that the effect of the sweet 
instrument was very powerful, and it is probable 
that the party of admirers might have taxed the 
seaman’s powers of performance to the uttermost, 
if they had not been suddenly interrupted by the 
entrance of a tall wild-looking man, who was evi- 
dently in a state of tremendous excitement. 

He wore the usual cloth round the loins, and the 
lamba, which was thrown like a Scottish chieftain’s 
plaid over his left shoulder — but these garments bore 
evidence of rough usage and hard travel. The man 
was not a stranger, for, as he suddenly stood panting 
vehemently in the midst of the party, with his long 
arms outstretched, Voalavo addressed him in tones 
of surprise. 

“Eazafil!” he exclaimed. “Glad are we to see 
the Bard of Imarina. Your coming is well-timed. 
We are feasting, and singing, and story-telling. 
Words from the poet will be welcome.” 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


143 


Notwithstanding the friendly - reception thus 
accorded to the Bard of Iraarina, it was evident that 
the words were thrown away upon him, for he con- 
tinued for some time to glare and pant, while 
perspiration rolled down his face, and it became 
clear to every one that something was wrong with 
him. At last he spoke in a kind of low singing- 
tone which harmonised with his appearance — 

“ Vain man ! Observ’st thou not the dead ? 

The morning warmth from them has fled, 

Their mid-day joy and toil are o’er, 

Though near, they meet fond friends no more.” 

He paused and looked wildly yet tremblingly 
round, as if in search of some one, but took no 
notice of his friends, many of whom were present at 
the gathering. Then he continued in the same 
strain — 

“ A gate of entrance to the tomb we see, 

But a departure thence there ne’er shall be. 

The living waves his signal high, 

But where ’s the loved one’s fond reply ? 

Ah ! where are those thus doomed to die ? 

“ Vain man ! observ’st thou not the dead ? 

No more their homeward path they tread. 

The freeman lost may ransom’d be. 

By silver’s magic power set free ; 

But, once the deadly hand has laid them low ; 

No voice can move them, for they cease to know. 

Regardless of our love they lie ; 

Unknown the friends that o’er them sigh ; 

Oh ! where are those thus doom’d to die ? ” 


144 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Again the poor man paused, and gasped as if some 
terrible agony were rending his bosom, yet no tear 
moistened his eyes, from which there seemed to 
gleam the wild light of. insanity. His appearance 
and words had sunk like a pall upon the festive 
party, but no one spoke or moved. It was as if 
they were spell-bound. Once more the poet spoke, 
and this time in tones of deepest pathos — 

“ Vain man ! why groan ye for the dead ? 

To be with Jesus they have fled, 

With shattered limbs — ’mid scorching flame, 

They sang the praises of His name ; 

Now, joy unspeakable, they tread the shore 
Whence ransom’d sinners shall depart no more. 

But ah ! while mangled corpses lie. 

Our trembling, riven hearts will cry — 

* Why, why were those thus doom’d to die ? ’ ” 

The man ceased; his arms fell listlessly by his 
side, and his chin sank on his breast. 

I fear much,” whispered Kavonino to Mark, 
'' that I understand but too well what he means.” 

Without waiting for a reply the guide rose. 
Going up to Eazafil he laid his hand gently on his 
arm, and said — 

“ My brother ! ” 

The bard looked at him^ earnestly for a few 
seconds, then, grasped him by the -wrist as with a 
grip of iron. 

'' Kavoninohitriniony,” he said, fiercely, "'my 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 145 

little one is dead ! She is gone ! They took her — 
a mere child — they ^tortured her, but she would not 
yield. Hear what I say. You knew her well — 
the soft one; the tender one, who was always so 
pliable, so unselfish, so easily led, — she would not 
yield ! ^ They led her to the place of. execution ; 
they tied her to a stake and kindled the fire about 
her beautiful limbs, — =my little child,. Eaniva ! I saw 
the skin upon her flesh blacken and crack and blaze ! 
But she sang ! sang loud and clear ! I would have 
rushed into the fire to her but they held me back — 
four strong men held me ! When she was consumed 
they led me away to the torture — but I burst from 
them — escaped — I know not how — I care not ! for 

my little one is lost Idlest ! ” 

“Nay, Eazafil — not lost!” said Eavonino, in a 
quiet but firm tone, for he saw the gleam increasing 
in the poor father’s eyes. “Did you not say just 
now that she is singing with joy unspeakable the 
praises of His name ?” 

The words were fitly spoken. The father’s agon- 
ised soul was quieted, but as quietness partly re- 
turned to him, a new , expression appeared on his 
countenance. 

“Listen,” he^ said, still holding the guide’s wrist 
in his powerful grasp. “I go to my poor wife. 
She is safe in the .cave with Eeni-Marnba — ” 

“ Not in the cave you think, of,” interrupted the 
K 


146 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


guide, explaining the change of abode which had 
been recently made by the Christian fugitives. 

^‘No matter,” returned the bard, “I know all 
the caves, and can find the one she has gone to. 
But now I must warn you— warn all of you who 
are Christians,” he added, with emphasis, looking 
round upon the natives, “if there be any such 
among you — that Queen Eanavalona has got one 
of her bad fits again. She has ordered that no one 
is to sing or pray to Jesus, or to read the Word of 
God, on pain of imprisonment, death, or being sold 
into slavery. Many have been sold already, and 
some have died. Things would have been even 
worse, for the English missionary has left Antanan- 
arivo, but Prince Eakota remains our friend. Still, 
he cannot save every one. He could not save my 
Eaniva! Now,” he added, turning to the guide 
abruptly, as if anxious to keep his mind from 
dwelling on his terrible bereavement, “ you must go 
to Antananarivo with all haste if you would save 
Eafaravavy, for she is in great danger.” 

The bard had touched a cord in Eavonino’s 
breast which vibrated sensitively. 

“ She has not confessed ? She is not in prison ?” 
he asked, quickly, with emotion which was too 
powerful to be entirely suppressed. 

“As to confessing,” returned Eazafil, “there is 
no need for her to do that, for it is well known that 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


U7 


she is a Christian ; but the queen is fond of her and 
wishes to spare her. Nevertheless, she is so ex- 
ceeding mad against us just now, that there is no 
saying when her forbearance may come to an end. 
If you would save Eafaravavy, you must get her 
out of the palace without delay.” 

The guide did not reply for a few seconds. It 
was .evident, from the knitted brows and the pallor 
of his countenance, that he was endeavouring to make 
up his mind to some course of action. Suddenly 
the frown passed from his brow, his countenance 
became perfectly calm, and his eyes closed. 

He is speaking with God,” whispered Laihova 
to one who sat near him. 

Laihova may have been right. If so, the prayer 
was a very brief one, for the guide turned almost 
immediately to Voalavo and explained that in the 
circumstances it was absolutely necessary for him 
and his comrades to depart at once for the capital. 

The chief, being a sympathetic as well as a 
hilarious soul, made no objection, but rather urged 
him to maka haste. 

Ravonino then turned to his white companions, 
who could, of course, only guess at the meaning of 
all that had been said, and explained to them the 
whole matter. They rose at once, and, having no 
preparations to make, professed to be ready to start 
there and then. 


148 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Now, while they were yet speaking, the festive 
party received another surprise, or alarm, which 
was even more exciting than the previous one. 

A young man suddenly burst into the village with 
the announcement that a body of the Queen’s 
soldiers were close at hand. They had been sent off 
in pursuit of Eazafil, with directions to scour the 
country, and bring in as many Christian fugitives 
as possible, and he — the young man — being a fast 
runner, had been sent in advance by some friends 
of the bard to warn him of his, danger. 

“ I would not try to avoid them if I stood alone,” 
said Eazafil, softly. “ Should I shrink from dying 
for Jesus, after seeing my Eaniva go to Him in a 
chariot of fire ? But I stand not alone. My wife 
claims my support, and my little boy.” 

While he was speaking, it was .seen that a few of 
the hunters, as well as one or two inhabitants of the 
village, rose quietly and left the place. These were 
either professing or suspected Christians, who were 
anxious to make their escape from the danger that 
threatened. 

After bidding Voalavo farewell, the guide and his 
friends left the village and struck into the woods. 
They were accompanied by the bard a short 
distance, until a point was reached where their 
routes diverged, and here, after a few words of 
brotherly sympathy and counsel from Eavonino, the 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 149 

bereaved man went on his solitary way, and the 
others directed their course towards the capital. 

“Poor man,” said Ebony, who looked over his 
shoulder with profound sorrow in his earnest eyes 
as long as the tall figure of the bard was in sight, 
“I’s most awrful sorry for ’im. Why don’t dey 
hang Eandalvalona, or shot ’er?” 

“ History teaches that it ’s not always so easy as 
one might think to get rid of objectionable queens 
in that way,” said Mark. 

“ Hm ! I ’d teach history suffin diff’rent if I had 
my way,” returned the negro. 

“ But surely the great men around her might have 
some sort o* power to clap a stopper on ’er?” said 
Hock ins. 

“ They have some power, but not much,” returned 
the guide, “for Eanavalona is a passionate, self- 
willed, cruel woman ; and when such a woman 
happens to be a despotic queen, nothing short of a 
revolution, or her death, can save the country. She 
usurped the throne in 1829, we have now reached 
1857, so she has been reigning more than twenty- 
seven years, and a bitter reign it has been. There 
have been many persecutions of the Christians since 
it began. Hundreds have been slain; thousands 
have been sold into. slavery ; many more have been 
banished to pestilential districts, where disease 
has laid them low. God grant that this mad 


160 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


fit may not be the forerunner of another burst of 
cruelty.” 

“But do you really think,” said Mark, “that 
Eafaravavy is in great danger ? Did not the bard 
say that she is a favourite with the queen ? ” 

“ That is some security, but not much, for Eana- 
valona is changeable as well as cruel. But my 
dear one is in the hands of God. No harm can 
come to her unless He permits. Nevertheless, our 
God works not by miracles but by means, therefore 
it is my business, having the opportunity given me, 
to hasten to her rescue.” 

“And it is mine to help you,” said Mark, an 
impulse of youthful enthusiasm and sympathy 
swelling his heart as his mind suddenly reverted to 
the morning when he left England, and said his last 
good-bye to the fair one with the golden hair and 
the rosebud mouth and “ such lovely blue eyes ! ” 
“But how,” he continued, “shall we best aid you 
in this matter ? ” 

“That question I cannot answer immediately. 
When we draw near to the capital and hear what 
is going on I shall be able to form a plan. What 
we have to do just now is to travel fast. You are 
strong stout men, all of you. Do you think you 
can walk fast and far with little rest or sleep, and 
without breaking down ? ” 

“ I think so,” answered Mark, modestly. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 151 

“ I ’s cock-sure ob it,” said Ebony, “if we *s allowed 
lots o’ grub.” 

“ I ’m not quite so sure,” said Hockins; “ you must 
remember I’ve only got sea-legs on — but I’ll try.” 

And he did try, and so did the others ; with such 
success, too, that before the sun set that evening 
they had penetrated into the very heart of the 
mountain range which runs through the centre of 
the island. 

There had not been much conversation on the 
way, for hill-climbing all day at top-speed is not 
compatible with small talk. Besides, the obvious 
anxiety of Kavonino rendered his companions less 
inclined than usual to engage in desultory remarks. 
Nevertheless there were occasions — during momen- 
tary halts to recover breath, or when clear bubbling 
springs tempted them to drink — when the prolonged 
silence was broken. 

“ Putty stiff work dis hill-climbin’, massa,” said 
Ebony, during one of these brief halts, as he wiped 
the perspiration from his sable brow with the back 
of his hand. “ Lucky I ’s used to it.” 

“ Used to it ? ” repeated Mark. 

“ Yes. Di’n’t I tell you I was born an- raised 
among de Andes in Sout’ Ameriky ? ” 

“ To be sure, I forgot that, but there must be a 
considerable difference between the two mountain 


ranges.' 


152 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Das troo, massa, but de difference don’t make 
much diffrence to de legs. You see, wild rugged 
ground much de same wheder de mountains rise a 
few t’ousand foot, like dese, or poke der snow- 
topped heads troo de clouds right away up into de 
blue sky, like de Andes. Eugged ground is rugged 
ground, an’ hard on de legs all de same, an’ dis am 
rugged ’nuff even for ’Ockins !” 

The negro opened his huge mouth in an amiable 
laugh at his companion, who had taken advantage 
of the brief halt to give a hearty rub to his colossal 
limbs. 

“ Eugged enough it is, no doubt,” said the sailor, 
gravely, an’ it makes my sea-legs raither stiffish. 
But never you fear. Ebony ; they ’re tough, an’ will 
last as long as yours, anyhow.” 

“You’s right, ’Ockins. Dey’ll lastYori^er dan 
mine by eight or temhinches^if not more.” 

“Your jokes are small, Ebony, which is more than 
can be said for your mouth. Shut it, man, or some 
of us ’ll go tumblin’ into it by accident.” 

While these two were indulging their little 
pleasantries, the guide and his friend Laihova had 
gone to the top of a neighbouring bluff to consult 
as to the best route to adopt in the present troubled 
state of the country. 

The view from the commanding height on which 
they stood was indeed marked by a rugged grandeur 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 153 

which might have done credit even to the giant 
Andes themselves, and offered a variety of routes, 
or rather obstructions to routes, which might well 
perplex men who were eager to cross country 
swiftly. 

The point which they had reached, and much of 
the range they had crossed, was formed of basalt in 
various stages of decomposition ; but in the country 
before them, for several miles in advance, huge 
masses of granite and fragments of quartz indicated 
a change in the nature of the prevailing rock. The 
position of these masses, as well as their size, gave 
a wild Titanic aspect to much of the scenery. 

Many enormous stones projected out of the ground 
at various angles. One of these stood out horizon- 
tally to the distance of between twenty and thirty 
feet, forming a cave under it, in which it was evident, 
from sundry suggestive appearances, that wayfarers 
were accustomed to lodge. The neighbourhood of 
this cave formed one of the most romantic and 
picturesque scenes they had yet seen. It was a 
dark narrow vale, in many places not less than five 
hundred feet deep, with a considerable stream at 
the bottom, which brawled among detached and 
shattered rocks, or was partly lost to view in its 
meanderings among the beautiful green shrubs which 
clothed its banks. Various kinds of birds twittered 
among the bushes, and wherever water expanded 


154 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


in the form of pond or lakelet numerous waterfowl 
sported on the surface. 

“ A glorious prospect ! ” exclaimed Mark, as he 
joined the guide and his friend, “and a splendid 
place, I should think, for fugitives from persecution.” 

He pointed, as he spoke, to the scene on his 
right, where masses of rock varying from thirty to 
fifty feet in length projected from the side of the 
ravine. On the top of these rested other masses in 
a position that seemed to threaten destruction to all 
who ventured beneath them. 

“ The caves of this region,” said the guide, “have 
served to shelter the Christians many a time. It 
looks as if God had provided these blocks of granite 
for this very purpose, for the caverns which extend 
beneath them are dark and intricate, having many 
entrances, and being lighted in some places by open- 
ings between the blocks, while in other places 
they are profoundly dark and of unknown extent. 
See also, if you look at the stream below, they form 
a splendid ^bridge. At this distance they do not 
seem large, but some of these blocks are not less 
than a hundred feet long. This whole region is in- 
fested by robbers, but the recent act of the Queen 
in sending troops out to scour the country for 
fugitive Christians seems to have driven them 
away. But if they had been here we should have 
had little to fear, for robbers are not usually fond 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


155 


of attacking even small parties of men who are 
well able to defend themselves ; besides, they do not 
injure the outlawed Christians much. Perhaps 
they have a sort of fellow-feeling for us !” 

At this point Laihova spoke a few words to the 
guide in the native tongue. The latter nodded 
approval, and turning to Mark, said — 

“We have been consulting about our route. 
There are two roads — one rugged, round-about, and 
safe, which would take us a longer time, however, 
to reach the capital than the other, which is the 
regular beaten path, through the villages. But this 
latter way lays us open to the danger of meeting 
with soldiers, and of my being captured along with 
my friend Laihova. There would be no -danger to 
you and your Triends, for you are strangers.” 

“Eavonino,” said Mark, quickly, “do what is 
best for rescuing Eafaravavy. We have no will but 
yours. We will follow wherever you choose to 
lead.” 

A quiet look of satisfaction played on the guide’s 
features as he turned to his friend. 

“What says Laihova? The Englishmen are 
willing to do whatever we wish.” 

“ Let us go by the villages. Let us push on by 
night as well as by day,” said Laihova. “ Time 
flies ! Eanavalona is mad I Eafaravavy is in 
danger ! ” 


156 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


It was finally arranged that, at this place, which 
was considerably to the south of Antananarivo, 
they should diverge to the right, so as to avoid 
certain points of danger, and arrive ultimately at 
the eastern side of the capital. 

Having settled this point, the three men rejoined 
their comrades, who were still conversing amicably 
beside the spring. Thereafter they all descended 
into the valley by a steep and rugged pathway. 


THE TYEANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAE. 


157 


CHAPTEE XIL 

A NARROW ESCAPE AND THREATENING CLOUDS. 

Theie progress after leaving the spot described in 
the last chapter was not so rapid as could have been 
desired by anxious men, for it was absolutely 
necessary to proceed with extreme caution. 

Not only were the Queen’s troops out in various 
directions, but many of her spies had been seen 
prowling about, like the evil one they served, 
seeking whom they could devour. Of this the 
travellers were made aware at the first villages they 
came to ; and as Eavonino had formerly been well 
known at the capital, it became necessary for him 
not only to disguise himself, but to keep as much as 
possible out of sight. 

Disguising himself was not very difficult, owing 
to the fact that when he lived in Antananarivo he 
had, like his father, worn a bushy, beard. This had 
made him a marked man, for the Malagasy, as a rule, 
have little beard, and what little they possess is 
usually pulled out by the roots. Since he became a 
fugitive the guide had shaved closely. This of 


158 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


itself went a long way to change his appearance ; 
but when, in addition, he had modified the arrange- 
ment of his hair, and stained his face of a darker 
hue, he had made himself almost unrecognisable, even 
by his best friends. His chief difficulty was with 
his voice, which had a mellow sweetness in it that 
resisted modification. However, by keeping silence, 
or speaking low, he hoped to escape recognition until 
he should reach the vicinity of the capital, where he 
had friends who would gladly receive and conceal 
him, even at the risk of their lives. 

As to the great object that lay nearest his heart, 
he hoped to manage that through his friend Laihova, 
without himself entering the capital. 

Our travellers soon reached the inhabited part 
of the country, where, being surrounded by men 
and women going about, as well as journeying 
towards the Antananarivo market with provisions, 
etc., they ceased to attract much attention. Of 
course the Englishmen were subjects of curiosity — 
sometimes of inquiry, — but as Laihova reported that 
they were men who had been cast on the southern 
coast of the island and whom he was guiding to the 
capital, suspicion was not aroused. 

Laihova at this point became leader of the party, 
in order to enable the guide more easily to fall into 
the background ; and he was all the more fitted 
the position in that he had acquired a smattering 


THE TYEANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


159 


of English from his friend Eavonino, and could 
both understand much of what was said to him and 
also make himself pretty well understood by his 
white friends. 

This part of the journey was by no means with- 
out adventure, sometimes of a kind that filled them 
with anxiety. 

One evening they approached a small hamlet, or 
group of cottages, where they learned, among other 
things, that two of the Queen’s- spies -were at that 
moment in the neighbourhood, searching for> two 
ladies of the Court who had fled because Eanavalona 
had threatened them with imprisonment. 

“Are they young?” asked Eavonino, forgetting 
his caution in his anxiety. 

“ I know not,” replied the man who had informed 
them of the. fact. “ I think some one told me they 
were not young — hut I forget.” 

The guide said no more. He regretted having 
said so much, for the man glanced at him sus- 
piciously. 

Affecting an air of unconcern he turned away and 
bade his comrades follow. 

“ Come,” he said, when out of earshot of the man, 
“ we must pass through this village quickly, for we 
know not in what house the spies may have taken 
up their quarters.” 

“ But, don’ you tink,” suggested Ebony, “ dat we 


160 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


five could wallop any oder five men in de univarse, 
to say not’ing ob two spies ?” 

A grim smile was all the reply that the guide 
gave him, as he walked quickly along the path that 
led out of the hamlet. 

“ I have a friend,” he said to Mark, “ who lives in 
a solitary cottage half-a-mile further on. He is rich, 
and, I think, a Christian man — but secretly, for fear 
of the Queen. We will call at his house in passing.” 

As he spoke, they approached a large house by 
the roadside, the owner of which, a brown old 
gentleman, was enjoying himself with his wife and 
family in front of it. 

“ Is that your friend ?” asked Mark. 

“No; he lives in the house just beyond. We 
shall see it on clearing this group of trees.” 

The track which they were following led close 
past the large house above referred to, necessitating 
compliance with a custom of the country, which 
greatly surprised, and not a little amused, the 
Englishmen. 

We have spoken of the residence as a house, 
because it belonged to one owner, but it would be 
more correct to call it a farm-steading, or a group 
of buildings. Except among the very poorest 
people, a Malagasy family has usually two or three 
houses in its enclosure — frequently more, for young 
married people often live beside their parents, and 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


161 


some houses are appropriated to slaves, while others 
are used as kitchens, etc., the whole being surrounded 
by a wall of clay. Where a house is near the public 
road they have usually a little square platform, 
called the fijeHna, in an angle of the wall, or at the 
gate, with steps leading up to it. Here the family 
sits, when the work of the day is over, to watch — 
and, doubtless, to uriticise^the passers-by ; also to 
do the polite according to Malagasy ideas, for it must 
be told that these people are very courteous. Even 
the ^poorest have a natural dignity and ease of 
manner about them. 

As our travellers approached the house they were 
observed with much interest by the brown old 
gentleman and his comfortable-looking wife, and 
his pretty little light-brown daughter, and a very 
uncomfortable-looking elderly female with her head 
tied up, who were all squatted on the JijeHna. 

When within hearing Laihova stopped, and said 
in the politest tone and manner possible — 

"Will you allow me to pass, sir?” 

"Pray proceed, sir,” replied the old gentleman, 
with a gracious smile. 

This interchange of civilities was entirely formal, 
and stood in the place of the Englishman's opening 
remarks on the weather, to which a Malagasy would 
as soon think of referring, in this connection, as he 
would to the hatching of crocodiles’ eggs. 

L 


162 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Then followed the conventional inquiry, “How 
are you ? How is it with you ?” which politenesses, 
in a number of variations unknown to Western 
speech, would have been continued, in ordinary 
circumstances, until the passers-by were beyond the 
range of hearing ; but the appearance of the English- 
men induced the brown old gentleman on this 
occasion to beg the travellers to stop and accept his 
hospitality. This they declined to do, with many 
expressions of regret, on the ground that their 
business at the capital was urgent. 

“It would have gratified me much,” said the old 
gentleman, “ to have entertained you. But you are 
all well, I hope ?” 

“ Yes, we are very well,” answered Laihova ; “ and 
how do you feel ?” 

“ I feel as well as possible. And is it well with 
you r* 

“ It is well with us. But it does not seem to be 
well with the lady,” returned Laihova, glancing at 
the uncomfortable female with her head tied up. 

“Ho, it is not well with her. She has toothache 
on the north side of her head. Farewell,” said the 
brown old gentleman, re-squatting on the fjerhia, 
as the travellers moved on; “may you live,” he 
shouted after them, when nearly out of earshot, 
“ and reach old age.” 

Great was the amusement of our travellers at all 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


163 


this, especially when Eavonino explained about the 
toothache. “ You must know,” he said, that almost 
all the houses in the central provinces of the island 
are built with their length running north and south, 
or nearly so, and the people use the points of the 
compass in describing the position of things. Thus, 
if they tell a slave to look for a thing in the house, 
they will say. Look in the north, south, east, or west 
corner, or side ; and they apply this rule to the 
person also. I once heard the member of a mission 
from England told by his host that some rice was 
sticking to his moustache. The missionary wiped 
the wrong side. "No,’ said the host, "it is on the 
southern side of your moustache.’ ” 

"‘ Do you know,” said Mark Breezy, "" that is not 
so strange to me as you might suppose ; for I was 
once told by a friend who lived in the Scottish 
Highlands, that an old woman there actually said 
to her that she had toothache on the east side of 
her head !” 

Further comment on this point was arrested by 
their coming suddenly in sight of the house where 
the guide’s friend dwelt. 

""You had better stay here at the edge of this 
wood, while I go forward alone,” said the guide; 
"‘ because although the man is kind, and has always 
professed to be my friend, I am not quite sure of 
him. It Ts well to be cautious. If I wave my 


164 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


hand to you, come up to the house, all will he well. 
If things don’t seem favourable I will return to 
you — but keep close ; don’t show yourselves need- 
lessly. You see, my friend is an officer of the 
palace. If friendly he can be very useful to us, if 
unfriendly he can be dangerous.” 

“But why run risk by going near him at all?” 
asked Mark. 

“We must run risk when life and death are in 
the balance,” replied the guide, shortly. 

Concealed by the bushes, the travellers watched 
their companion as he went up to the house. 
Before he reached it a man opened the door and 
stepped out. Suddenly this man seemed to burst 
into a furious passion. He grasped Eavonino by 
the throat, almost threw him on his back, and, 
seizing a stick, began to belabour him violently, 
while two other men appeared at the door of the 
house, and, from their inordinate laughter, seemed 
fully to enjoy the scene. 

“ Hi ! ” exclaimed Ebony in shrill falsetto, as he 
jumped up in blazing wrath, intending to rush to 
the rescue, but Hockins grasped his woolly head 
and pulled him back. 

“ Obey orders, you black grampus ! D’ee think 
he ’s a babby as can’t take care of himself ? Didn’t 
he tell us to keep close ?” 

Oreat as had been the surprise of the watchers 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


165 


at this sudden and unprovoked assault, it was as 
nothing compared with their astonishment when 
they saw their guide fairly turn tail and run towards 
them, closely followed by the furious man, who con- 
tinued to thrash him all the time. 

As Eavonino drew near, the angry man seemed 
to have exhausted himself, for he fell behind, and 
finally stopped. The guide ran on at full speed 
until he reached the wood, but did not even then 
slacken his speed. As he ran past his friends, 
however, he exclaimed in a sharp, stern voice — 

“ Follow me !” 

Laihova obeyed with the unquestioning readiness 
of a faithful hound. The others followed suit with 
the open eyes of perplexity and amazement ! 

Beaching a sequestered dell in a few minutes, 
Eavonino suddenly stopped and turned round with 
a calm air of satisfaction. 

“ Well, dis am de most awrful supprise I’se had 
since my mudder give me my fust woll opin’.” 

The expression on the negro’s face rendered the 
remark needless. 

It was well done,” said the guide, seating him- 
self on the trunk of a fallen tree. 

“ A’most too well done!” returned Hockins, with 
a touch of sarcasm. 

*‘Do you know,” continued the guide gravely, 
I’ve had a narrow escape ? The two men you saw 


166 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


laughing at the door are the very men we have been 
trying to avoid, — the Queen’s spies, — whom I have 
long known, and who would certainly have dis- 
covered me in spite of my shaved and stained face 
if we had come to talk to each other in the same 
room. Luckily my friend is smart as well as true. 
He knew my voice at once. To have talked with 
me, or warned me, or let me enter his house, would 
have been fatal. His only resource lay in thrashing 
me off his premises — as you have seen. How he 
will explain matters to the spies I know not, but I 
can trust him for that.” 

“ Das most awrful clobber !” exclaimed Ebony, 
his every feature broadening with delight at the 
success of the ruse. 

“ But what are we to do now ?” asked Mark. 

“Wait till he comes here. He told me to wait.” 

“ What ! Told you ? ” 

“Ay — you don’t suppose he let his tongue lie 
idle while he was using his stick. Of course I was 
myself taken aback at first when he seized me by 
the throat, but two or three muttered words in the 
midst of his anger opened my eyes, and I ran at 
once. All the way as he ran after and belaboured 
me he was giving me important information in 
furious tones ! The spies are only staying with him 
for a short rest. When they are gone he will come 
and find us here.” 


THE TYEANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 167 

“ He ’s a born actor,” said Hockins. 

“ True — and be acted some of his blows heavier 
than I could have wished, in his anxiety to impress 
his information on me !” said the guide. 

‘'What is his name?” asked Mark. 

“ Fisatra. He is named after a great chief who 
lived in this district not long ago. — But here he 
comes to speak for himself.” 

' At that moment a tall, fine-looking man, of very 
dark complexion, and clad in the ample folds of 
a beautiful lamba, approached them. His whole 
countenance was wrinkled with the lines of fun, 
and his brilliant teeth glistened as he smilingly 
held out his hand to the Englishmen, and asked 
them to accept his hospitality. 

As they passed into the house they saw two 
slave-girls pounding rice in a large wooden mortar, 
with two enormous wooden pestles, while the savoury 
steam that arose from some invisible kitchen served 
to put a finer edge on their already sharpened 
appetites. 

When the mats were spread, and the feast was 
being enjoyed, Eavonino asked the host how he had 
got rid of the spies, and how he managed to explain 
his conduct without raising their suspicions. 

“ Nothing easier,” said Fisatra, while his broad 
shoulders heaved with an inward chuckle. “You 
know that I used to be feared in the palace in days 


168 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


gone bye because of my violent nature, and tbe way 
in which I used to knock about the furniture and 
make the household slaves — sometimes the house- 
hold troops — scurry when I was in a rage. Yet I ’m 
sure you know very well (he looked sheepishly 
innocent here) that I never was an angry man — at 
least not a cruel one. But that ’s all changed. I 
am one of your set now, though no one suspects it. 
Since I met Mr. Ellis ” 

“ Is Mr. Ellis here just now ? ” interrupted 
Eavonino, anxiously. 

“Not now,” answered Eisatra; “he departed some 
weeks ago, but I believe has not yet left the coast. 
And now there is no check on the Queen’s violence. 
Well, as I was about to say, I took to the old habit 
in pretence, as you have seen, and when I returned 
from thrashing you I went storming through the 
house, kicking about the pots and pans, and foaming 
at the mouth in such a way that I not only stopped 
the spies laughing, but put them in fear of their 
lives.” 

Again the fun- wrinkles corrugated the visage of 
Eisatra, and his mighty shoulders heaved with 
internal explosions. 

“ After I had calmed down a bit,” he continued, 
“the spies ventured to ask timidly if that was a 
great enemy that I had beaten. This set me into a 
worse passion than ever. ‘ Enemy ? ’ I shouted 


THE TYRA.NT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


169 


* no — no — not an enemy — he — he ’s a — a ’ but I 

got no further than that, for I didn’t know what to 
say, and I wouldn’t lie, so I took to foaming and 
stamping again ! At last I said ‘Don’t speak to me 
about him — excuse me, my friends ; I can’t stand it 
— and — and the rice is nearly ready. You must be 
hungry!’ I said this with a look and tone as if 
another fit was coming on. They excused them- 
selves. ‘ No,’ they said, ‘ we are not hungry, and 
we have yet far to go this day before the sun 
descends. The Queen’s orders will not wait.’ And 
off they went, glad to get out of my way. Truly, if 
it is sinful to get in a rage, it is useful sometimes to 
act it 1 So now, my friends, eat — eat — while you 
have the chance, and fear not the return of the spies !” 

“Tell me,” said the guide, anxiously, “are you 
sure that Eafaravavy is still safe ? ” 

“ She is still safe — but no one knows how long 
that may be, for she is fearless, and utters the 
forbidden prayers^ even in the presence of the Queen. 
If it had not been for the love that Eanavalona 
bears her, she would have been tossed from the 
‘ rock of hurling ’ long ago.” 

“ Eaithful, even unto death,” said the guide, with 
a look and tone in which pathos and triumph were 
strangely blended. 

“ She has not yet been tried to that extent, but 
if she is, God will enable her to stand firm,” said 


170 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Fisatra, whose grave child-like sincerity, when 
talking of religious subjects, was not less impulsively 
honest and natural than were the outbursts of his 
fun when another humour stirred his feelings. 

The “ rock ” to which he alluded was a frightful 
precipice at one side of the city from which 
criminals were usually hurled — a spot which is 
hallowed by the blood of many Christian martyrs 
who perished there during the long reign of that 
tyrant queen Eanavalona. 

“ Has then the queen forbidden the Christians to 
pray ? ” asked Eavonino. ^ 

“ Have you not heard ? — but of course you have 
not, being an outlaw and having only j ust returned. 
Eecently a very bad fit has come over the Queen. 
Y'ou know that for some years past there have 
been a few French people living in Antananarivo, 
who by their knowledge and skill in mechanics and 
mercantile matters have made themselves useful to 
our government. These men lately tried to dethrone 
the Queen, on pretence of delivering the country 
from her cruelties, and establishing a ‘French 
Protectorate.’ They gained over some of our chief 
men, collected in one of their houses a large quantity 
of weapons and ammunition, and had even fixed the 
night when the palace was to be invaded, the Queen 
seized, and the Protectorate set up. Fortunately 
the plot came to my knowledge. I say fortunately. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 171 

because a bad queen is better than a French 
Protectorate, for the first will die, but the latter 
might never end! Well, I at once informed the 
Queen, who had the conspirators seized and banished 
from the country for ever. Among them were a 
Eoman Catholic lady and two Jesuits. The anger 
of the Queen was of course very great, and she has 
had, as I have said, a very bad fit against the 
Christians ; for, as these unprincipled conspirators 
have the name though none of the reality of 
Christians, she naturally mixed us all up together — 
and I know not what the end will be, but I have 
much fear, because the Queen is very angry.” 

“ Has she done nothing yet ? ” asked Eavonino. 

‘‘ Hothing-^except threaten and fume. But when 
the black cloud is overhead, and muttering thunder 
is heard, one knows too well what to expect — 
especially when one has been exposed to the storm 
in former years.” 

“ The sun is shining behind the black cloud and 
it will break through when the Master wills,” said 
Laihova, joining in the conversation for the first 
time that evening, and looking earnestly at his 
friend Eavonino, as if the words were meant for his 
ear alone — ^as indeed they were. 

"Thanks, thanks, my friend, for the comforting 
words,” said Eavonino, " and I take shame to myself 
that my faith is so weak.” 


172 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


“You will spend the night with me ? ’’ said their 
host to the guide. 

“ No, Fisatra, I dare not delay. Even now I may 
be too late. I will journey all night.” 

Eavonino rose quickly and prepared to go. The 
others followed his example, and soon the party 
was proceeding rapidly along the high-road towards 
the capital, under a cloudless sky and a galaxy of 
twinkling stars. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


173 


CHAPTEE XIIL 

ARRIVAL AT THE CAPITAL— QUEEN RANAVALONa’S TROUBLES 
AND PERPLEXITIES. 

Towards sunrise on the following morning our 
travellers, on passing out of a rather dense piece of 
plantation which crowned the brow of a low hill, 
came in sight of the capital— Antananarivo. It was 
still in the far distance, with many a ricefield and 
garden between, but distinctly visible, for it occupies 
the summit and slopes of a considerable hill. 

“Here, then, through the goodness of God, we 
have reached the end of our journey,” said Eavonino, 
halting, “ and I must remain behind, while you, my 
friends, push on to the city. Fain would I go with 
yon, but that would ruin all, for I am a known and 
marked man. Laihova will now guide you, and tell 
you what to do. I have just one word for you at 
parting. Be peaceful, do not take offence. Inter- 
fere not with our customs. Use not the fist, and 
commit your way ta God.” 

The guide looked so pointedly at Ebony while 


174 THE FUGITIVES, OR 

he spoke that that sable comrade could not help 
noticing it. 

“ What you looks so hard at me for, hey ? ” de- 
manded the negro. 

“Because you are somewhat hot-tempered and 
apt to get people into scrapes,” answered Eavonino, 
with a slight twinkle in his eye. 

“ Me ’ot-tempered ! ” exclaimed Ebony, in surprise, 
with an appealing glance at his comrades. “I’d 
knock you down, Eavonino, for sayiii’ dat, only it 
would be like as if what you say ’s true ! Ob all de 
niggers on ’art’ I ’s de meekest, quietest — jest like a 
babby ; why, my moder always said so, an’ surely 
she ought to know ! ” 

“No doubt she knew, whatever she said,” observed 
Hockins, with a laugh. 

“We will be careful,” said Mark. “ But are your 
people, then, so particular, that we should require 
this caution ? ” 

“Well, they are not very different from other 
people,” replied the guide, “ and if things had been 
as usual I should have had no fear ; but when Queen 
Eanavalona has one of her bad fits, there ’s no saying 
what she may do. Her banishing the Europeans is 
a bad sign. I would that I had not brought you 
here, but there is no help for it now. We have been 
seen by many people. The news will spread to the 
town, and if you did not soon appear you would 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 175 

be suspected as spies, and the coufitry would be 
scoured in search of you. No, there is nothing for 
it now but a bold face and an honest purpose.” 

“ Humph ! ” ejaculated Ebony, " you ’s a fine feller 
to talk ’bout bold faces an’ honest purpusses, w’en 
you ’re goin’ to steal a young ooman out ob de pallis, 
fro’ under de bery nose ob de queen ! ” 

“ To help Eafaravavy to escape of her own free 
will is not theft,” replied the guide, gravely. When 
we are persecuted in one city Scripture advises us 
to flee to another.” 

“ Das true, Eavonino. No offence meant. Gib 
us your flipper, old boy ! ” 

Grasping the guide’s hand, the negro shook it 
warmly, and at the same time vowed that he would 
be most “ awrful careful,” and that he would bring 
Eafaravavy to his feet, dead or alive, though he 
should have to fight the whole town single-handed 
to effect his object. 

It was a Thursday evening when they stood thus 
conversing. They had kept count of the days 
because of the guide ’s quiet but firm determination 
to rest in camp on the Sabbath — a plan which, 
although they had no very strong principle on the 
subject, commended itself to the rest of the party 
because of the pleasant effect of the day’s rest on 
both soul and body, for it afforded opportunity to 
have long and earnest talks with Eavonino about the 


176 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


former days of persecution, as well as quiet strolls, 
alone or in couples, and — it must be admitted — occa- 
sional slumbers in the cool shade of bush or tree ! 

“ I have purposely contrived,” said the guide, that, 
by walking all night, you shall arrive early to-morrow 
— Friday — because it is market-day in the town, and 
you will be less noticed as well as more amused by 
what you see than if you were to arrive on any 
other day. Go, and God go with you ! I shall be 
found in the cave that Laihova knows of. Farewell.” 

He turned, with a wave of his hand, as he spoke, 
and re-entered the bush, while the others, taking 
the most direct route to Antananarivo, descended 
into the open country. Soon they were involved in 
the crowds which were passing along all the roads 
leading to the city. The people were either taking 
their goods for sale or going to make purchases — 
mayhap to meet friends or kindred. 

All night Laihova led his friends at a smart pace. 
Next day, as the first object of our travellers was to 
get into the town without attracting attention, they 
kept in the thick of the throng all the way up 
to the market-place. Of course the people nearest 
them took special note of the two Englishmen, and 
some were inquisitive, but, by telling the simple 
facts regarding their arrival in Madagascar, Laihova 
removed any unpleasant suspicions that might have 
arisen regarding them. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 177 


The crowds increased as they advanced, and the 
numbers were still further augmented, as well as 
diversified, by the Hova army, which they came upon 
exercising on a plain just below the city. Ascend- 
ing the sides of the steep hill on which Antanana- 
rivo stands, they obtained a magnificent view of the 
animated scene, which conveyed the impression 
rather of a grand holiday than an ordinary market- 
day. This, no doubt, was largely owing to the 
operations of the soldiers, whose manoeuvres Hockins 
watched with a critical eye, for his father, having 
been a soldier, had made him intimately acquainted 
with the drill as practised in the British army at 
that period. 

“Why, I do believe the fellers are speakin’ 
English ! ” he said, in some surprise. 

“Not wonder much, for Ingleesh drill’d um,” 
said Laihova, who, since they parted from Kavonino, 
had begun to use his broken English to the best of 
his power. It must be said that that power was 
not great, even at the best. 

He explained to his friends that Eadama the First 
— that wise king who had been so fond of the Eng- 
lish, and had done so much to aid the missionaries, 
abolish the slave-trade, and civilise his people — had, 
among other changes, remodelled his army after the 
British pattern, and had obtained the services of 
non-commissioned officers from the Mauritius to 
M 


178 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


drill his troops. These organised them into divisions, 
brigades, regiments, companies, etc., and as they 
found no native words suitable to express military 
evolutions, they introduced their own English words 
of command, which have remained in use ever 
since. 

By means of this army of Hova troops, and the 
flint-lock weapon known familiarly as ‘Brown Bess,’ 
Eadama succeeded in subduing all the native chiefs 
of Madagascar, with only a few exceptions, and thus 
became the recognised king of an island considerably 
larger than Great Britain. Being an enlightened 
and well-disposed monarch, he made good use of the 
power thus acquired. It was only after his death 
in 1828 that a retrograde movement set in, as we 
have said, under the wicked Queen Eanavalona. 

It is one of the misfortunes of our fallen condition 
that rectitude in any course, however good, cannot 
long be maintained — at least in reasonable perfection. 
The army which had enabled Eadama to pursue on 
the whole a beneficent course, ere long began to 
make its creator know its power. Feeling his de- 
pendence on it, Eadama adopted the unwise policy 
of increasing the military influence, and weakening 
that of the civil officials, the heads of the people, 
and other functionaries whose position was derived 
from ancient political arrangements. Public offices 
of honour and importance were given to military 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 179 

officers rather than to civilians, and this unfair 
exaltation of the military over the civilian class 
led, as it always does, to tyranny and injustice. 

The system of- service was in itself a gross form 
of injustice to the people, for, although the theory 
of service does not at first sight appear unjust, 
the practice of it was very much so. More than 
the half— perhaps nearly two-thirds — of the whole 
effective male population of the central province 
were enrolled either as officers or -privates. These 
received no pay, except an occasionaLgift of a lamha, 
and about a week’s rice during the year! The 
soldiers were indeed freed from money taxes in 
consideration of their service, but this was small 
compensation for the hardships that it entailed. 
Although the drills at ordinary times did not occur 
more frequently than for a day or two every fort- 
night, much time was taken up in passing to and from 
the exercises, especially in the case of those who 
lived at a distance, and thus found it almost im- 
possible to cultivate their own rice-fields. Frequently, 
also, the officers would not allow the men to return 
home without a money bribe. In short, the private 
soldier was little better than a slave — in some cases 
worse — while the officers of the highest rank 
possessed unreasonable power. 

Military rank was founded on a system which led 
to some absurdities. It was reckoned by numbers, 


180 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


commencing with one honour for the private, two 
honours for the corporal, three for the sergeant, and 
so on up to thirteen for a field-marshal of the higher 
rank — a few having sixteen honours ! Those thus 
highly honoured were not numerous ; but the num- 
ber of officers of lower grade was much greater 
in proportion to privates, than in the British army. 
Indeed from a third to a fourth of the army was 
composed of officers, so that “ ta Phairshon,” with 
his excess of pipers over fighting men, would not 
have appeared very outrageous in the eyes of the 
Malagasy troops ! 

These officers had an eye to profitable business 
when not on service. It is stated by the missionaries 
that when engaged in building their churches and 
schools they sometimes found they had a field- 
marshal for a foreman, a colonel for mason or 
carpenter, a major for bricklayer, and so on ! Above 
the thirteenth rank the numbers were very few, 
and of the sixteenth there were not above half-a- 
dozen. 

Good, stout, courageous fellows were the men whom 
John Hockins and his comrades saw that day 
manoeuvring below thena on the plain of Imaha- 
masina ; men who, although by no means comparable 
to European troops in precision of movement, under- 
stood their work nevertheless, and would have 
proved themselves formidable opponents to deal 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 181 

with in war. Laihova further informed them that 
the first man who organised the force was a Sergeant 
Brady, who began his work in the year 1816, carried 
it on for many years, and rose to the rank of major- 
general in the service of King Eadama. After 
General Brady’s death, the native officers continued 
the work on the same lines. 

But in costume and appearance these soldiers 
were what is familiarly known as “a queer lot!” 
The uniform of the rank and file consisted of a 
tunic and trousers of white material, with a narrow- 
brimmed straw hat painted white, cross-belts and 
cartouche-box — by no means an unbecoming dress. 
But it was worn only at drills and reviews and 
state ceremonies. At other times, when on duty, 
soldiers went about almost naked, and the contrast 
of their dirty-white cross-belts with their brown 
breasts was curious, to say the least, while their 
straw hats and slovenly gait suggested anything 
but soldierly bearing. 

The variety of dress indulged in, however, by the 
crowd of officers was outrageous as well as mirth- 
provoking. 

“ Why it seems to me,” said Mark, “ that every 
officer may put on what seemeth right in his own 
eyes ! I see old regimental red coats and pantaloons; 
hats and shakos that must have been worn a 
hundred years ago. I even see what looks at this 


182 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


distance like naval uniforms and cocked hats, and 
no two of them seem to be dressed alike.” 

Mark looked inquiringly at Laihova as he spoke, 
but that dignified native merely smiled, and made 
a slight inclination of his head, as if to say, “ J ust 
so, that ’s the way we do it here ! ” 

Why do they let civilians mix wi’ them ? ” 
asked Hockins, pointing to a particular part of the 
field. 

“ To keep 'em cibil, I s’pose,” suggested Ebony. 

“ Where ? ” asked Laihova, with a puzzled look. 

“ There — don’t you see ’em ? Fellers all in black 
— with bell-toppers — beavers — chimney-pots on — 
I don’t know what you call ’em here.” 

“ Them be officers too,” said Laihova. 

And this was true, for the higher grades of officers 
usually appeared at drill in a full suit of black cloth, 
with the common black silk hat doing duty as a 
helmet, and contrasting oddly enough with the rough 
home-made scabbardless sword, which was carried 
naked in the hand. 

On some occasions, as our travellers afterwards 
learned, these regiments turned out in every variety 
of costume, with coats, hats, vests, and trousers, of all 
colours and patterns — as iHhey had been got up by 
an extensive dealer in old clothes. This passion for 
variety even extended to the officers of the palace, 
with whom, however, the material was of the best 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 183 

as well as gayest — for they were all gorgeously clad 
in blue and scarlet cloth, and velvet, with gold and 
silver lace, embroidery, feathers, etc., — but what 
nation, even in the so-called civilised world, is free 
from barbarism in this respect ? 

One pair of eyes beheld this review on that Friday 
with something of fiendish satisfaction. These 
belonged to no less a personage than Queen Eana- 
valona herself. High up on the balcony of her 
palace she sat under the shade of a scarlet umbrella. 

That very day she had had an angry interview 
with her Prime Minister, Eainiharo, in reference to 
her only child Prince Eakota, who was a young man 
of mild gentle disposition, as kind to the Christians 
as his mother was cruel and unjust. Indeed it was 
believed that he himself was among the Christians, 
for he dared openly to defend them before his 
mother, and often protected them secretly from her 
violence. Eainiharo, the Prime Minister, on the 
contrary, was their bitter foe, and in his interview 
with the Queen above mentioned, had ventured to 
accuse the prince of aiding in the protection of 
those who practised the proscribed religion. 

The one redeeming -point in the ^ character of 
Eanavalona was her love for this ^on. When asked 
to punish the prince for his conduct, she would say 
in tones of tenderness that seldom issued from her 
lips, “ Is he not my son— -my only son ? ” Alas ! she 


184 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


had little pity for the son or daughter of any one 
else, whether “ only ” or otherwise ! 

The dress of Ranavalona, as she sat in her balcony 
under her scarlet umbrella observing the troops, was 
gorgeous, but the greater part of it was hidden under 
the voluminous folds of the scarlet lamba of finest 
English broad-cloth with which her person was 
enveloped. Here and there, however, portions of a 
rich silk dress of European manufacture could be 
seen, as well as various gold and silver rings, 
bracelets, chains, charms, and ornaments of ivory. 
Scarlet being the royal colour, only the Sovereign is 
entitled to wear the scarlet lamba or use the scarlet 
umbrella. The Queen’s lamba was ornamented 
heavily with gold lace. Her head was not much 
decorated, but her hair was anointed with that 
hideous horror of the sick-room, castor-oil ! the 
odour of which, however, was disguised, or rather 
mixed, with a leaf which smelt like nutmeg. 

“ I will submit to this no longer,” said the Queen, 
with a stern frown. Have I not said it ? Is the 
will of Ranavalona to be thwarted ? ” 

This remark was, in the conversation above men- 
tioned, made to the Prime Minister, a stern old man, 
dressed in a scarlet coat with huge gold epaulettes, 
and profusely braided with gold lace, blue pantaloons, 
also gold -laced, and a magnificent brazen -sheathed 
sword. He stood at the Queen’s elbow with a per- 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


185 


plexed expression of countenance, being the bearer 
of news about the effect of which he felt uncertain. 
But Kainiharo was a bold man as well as a bad 
one. 

“ Your will, madam, is sure to be thwarted,” he 
replied, “ as long as you suffer Prince Eakota to act 
as he pleases. Your son is a Christian. He prays 
with the Christians and encourages them in this 
new doctrine. We are lost if your Majesty does not 
stop the prince in his strange self-willed ways.” 

But,” repeated the Queen, “ he is my son — my 
only, my beloved son ! Let him do what he pleases. 
If he wishes to be a Christian, let him — he is my 
beloved son ! ” 

** But, madam,” urged Eainiharo, who hated 
Eakota, “ if your son resists your will what becomes 
of the Government ? I know that Eakota ” 

“ Cease to speak to me of Eakota,” interrupted the 
Queen, impatiently. “ He is my son, I tell you. I 
love him. Let him alone — he will not disobey 
me. 

“ Prince Eamonja, it is said, has also joined the 
Christians,” continued the minister, with a slightly 
cynical expression. 

Is this true ? ” demanded Eanavalona, fiercely, 
while she seemed to grind her teeth in wrath. 

I have reason to believe it.” 

“ Let inquiry be made, and if it proves to be true,” 


186 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


said the Queen, sternly, ‘'let Eamonja be deprived of 
all his military honours, reduce him to the ranks, 
and fine him heavily.” 

“ But he is your own nephew, madam,” returned 
the Minister, simply, yet with a touch of sarcasm in 
his tone. 

“ It matters not. It is of our mercy that he does 
not die, as many others have died before him. Let 
my orders be obeyed if Eamonja is guilty. Let him 
be a warning to others in the palace, for it has come 
to my ears that some of our courtiers are hankering 
after this religion that seems to have turned my 
people mad. Indeed it is said that some related to 
yourself are among them.” 

She looked pointedly at Eainiharo as she spoke, 
and the prime minister winced, for he had lately 
discovered that his own son was among the number 
of the “ praying people.” Eecovering himself in a 
moment, however, he merely said that he was not 
aware of any of his kindred having fallen away from 
the customs of their ancestors. 

“I hope not,” returned the Queen, darkly, “for 
degradation and-slavery, if not death,-await them if 
they do. Go. Let a proclamation be made to-day 
in the market-place. Let my people and the army 
know that I have resolved to extinguish Christianity. 
Tell those officers who have become Christians, or 
have taken any part in religious teaching, that they 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 187 

shall lose their honours. They have transgressed 
my laws and deserve death, hut through the sup- 
plications of the people of Im^rina their lives are 
spared. But their honours, I say, shall be thrown 
into the river and carried over the cataract of Ifara- 
hantsana, for they are trying to change the customs 
of our ancestors. Of some, half the honours shall he 
thrown into the river. Of others, one-third of their 
honours shall be thrown in, and some shall lose all 
their honours ; the precise number shall he in pro- 
portion to their offences. Moreover,” continued the 
angry woman, as she worked herself into a state of 
great wrath, “ there must be no more praying ; no 
more psalm-singing among my people; no more 

She stopped suddenly and listened, while the 
veins in her neck and forehead seemed to swell 
almost to bursting, for at that moment the clear 
notes of a sweet female voice came from some distant 
part of the palace and broke softly on her ear. There 
was no mistaking the nature of the music, for the 
Queen had long been familiar with the music of the 
psalms in which the “ praying people ” were wont to 
sing praise to the name of J esus. 

‘‘Who sings?” she asked, with a fierce look at 
Ilainiharo. 

The prime minister again gave vent to a very 
slight touch of sarcasm as he replied, “ I think it is 
Eafaravavy.” 


188 


THE FUGITIVES, OK 


This time the queen noted the tone, and sharply 
ordered her minister to be gone and do her bidding. 

Now, Eafaravavy was a lady of the palace, as we 
have said, and a great favourite with her royal 
mistress, but the queen’s affection for the girl had 
been severely tested since the latter showed symp- 
toms of a leaning towards the Christian religion. 
It is probable that Eanavalona would have cared 
little as to what her favourite thought about 
Christianity if she had only kept quiet, but Eafar- 
avavy was one of those earnest straightforward souls 
who are prone to act in accordance with their 
conscientious beliefs without regard to consequences. 
She did not indeed go about endeavouring to pros- 
elytise the household, for she was naturally timid, 
soft-hearted, and meek, but she made no attempt to 
conceal her opinions and her sympathy with the 
persecuted Christians. She had even gone the 
length of interceding for them once or twice when 
she found her mistress in an amiable mood, but the 
explosion of wrath which resulted warned her not 
to presume again in that way. 

For some time Eanavalona sat brooding over the 
mystery of that religion, which, notwithstanding all 
her power and cruelty, she had, after so many years 
of tyranny, been unable to suppress. Then she sent 
for Eafaravavy. 

The girl, who in a few minutes entered her 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 189 

presence, was possessed of no ordinary beauty. Her 
delicate features and oval face were much lighter in 
complexion than those of the other ladies of the 
court, resembling rather those of a Spanisli brunette 
than a Hova beauty. Her eyes were large, soft, 
and lustrous ; her nose was straight and thin, and 
her mouth small, with an expression of habitual 
gravity which made her smile, when it came, all the 
more attractive. Little wonder that poor Eavonino 
had lost his heart to her, for, besides beauty of 
countenance, the girl was endowed with a sylph -like 
form, a sprightly disposition, and the sweet grace of 
humility. 

“ You have disobeyed me, Eafaravavy," said the 
Queen as she entered. 

“ Forgive me ! ” answered the girl in a low musical 
voice. I did not think my song of praise would 
reach your ear. It was meant only for my God and 
Saviour.” 

“ Is your God then deaf, that you must sing so 
loud ? ” asked the Queen, sharply. 

“ He is not deaf, blessed be His name ! ” exclaimed 
the maiden, with enthusiasm, neither is His arm 

shortened that it cannot save. Oh ! if you ” 

Stop ! ” cried the angry Queen, “ you have pre- 
sumed to talk to me thus too often. You deserve 
to die for singing , psalms. Have you given up 
praying since I forbade it ? ” 


190 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


There was that in the voice of Eanavalona which 
alarmed the girl, and caused her to tremble as she 
replied, with some hesitation, that she still prayed. 

Instead of giving way to another burst of passion 
the Queen adopted a bantering tone, and said — 

“ Come, Eafaravav}’’, tell me what you pray for.” 

I pray for the pardon of my sins.” 

“Is that all? Surely you pray for something 
more than that. Something nice that you want 
very much.” 

“Yes,” continued the girl, becoming somewhat 
pale, yet praying silently for courage even while she 
spoke. “ Yes, I pray for the^- pardon of-^of your 
sins, and — ” 

“ Go on ! Why do you stop ? ” 

“And that your eyes may be opened that you 
may ‘ see the King in His beauty/ and be drawn to 
Him by the cords of love, so that you may cease to 
persecute the Christians and learn to join with them 
in praising the name of Jesus who redeemed us from 
destruction, and is ready and willing to save us 
from our sins.” 

While Eafaravavy was speaking Eanavalona put 
her hand over her eyes. When the former ceased, 
she did not remove the hand, but said, in a tone 
which the poor girl could not quite understand — 

“ Go ! Enough. Leave me ! ” 

As Eafaravavy left the balcony, a prepossessing 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 191 

youth of delicate form and gentle mien emerged 
upon it by another door. 

“Mother,” he said, earnestly, “do, do give me 
leave to recall your proclamation. I have just 
heard of it from Eainiharo. Believe me, many of 
the nobles are not so good — I mean so guilty ! — as 
you think. And the poor Christians — why should 
they not pray and sing ? It is all that you have 
left to them, for they no longer dare to worship 
together in the churches.” 

“ No, Eakota, I will not recall it. Your constant 
pleading worries me. It is enough to say that the 
people shall be examined — by the tangena ordeal 
if necessary — and they shall be punished according 
to their deserts. Is that all that you come here for, 
my son ? ” 

It was evident from her tone that Eanavalona re- 
lented a little, though her words were firmly spoken. 

“ I came also to tell you,” said the prince, “ that 
the Europeans whom your spies brought news of 
some time ago have arrived. They are even now 
in the market-place. By my orders the guards 
have let them pass without question.” 

“ Always interfering, Eakota ! ” said the Queen, 
angrily. “ Why were they not seized and guarded 
till I should find time to speak with them ? ” 

“ Because, mother, that would scarcely be a civil 
way of receiving strangers.” 


192 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Strangers ! Spies you should have said. Have 
you forgotten the ungrateful Frenchmen who so 
lately tried to overturn my government ? ” 

But these are not Frenchmen. They are 
English,” said the prince, “and I will answer for 
them being good and true men.” 

“Ho doubt English are better than French — at 
least I hate them less ; but they are all pale-faced 
liars and Christians, and none of them shall remain 
in my land. But how can you tell, boy, that they 
are good and true men ? Have you had speech 
with them ? ” 

“ Hot I,” returned the prince. “ I have only seen 
them as they entered the town, but that was enough. 
One glance satisfied me of their being true men. 
When the sun rises it needs not much wisdom to 
know that there is heat and light. An honest face 
is like the sun. You cannot fail to know it.” 

“ Go, foolish boy. You are too confident. I will 
not tolerate Europeans. These men shall beurrested. 
Hence, and send hither an officer.” 

Finding that the Queen was not in a temper to 
be trifled with, Eakota wisely made no reply, but 
bowed and went his way. In delivering the message 
to the officer, however, he whispered such words to 
him as secured a little delay in the execution of the 
royal commands. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


193 


CHAPTEE XIV. 

THE PRIME MINISTER LAYS DEEP PLANS--SO DOES HIS NEPHEW— THE 
GREAT MARKET-PLACE— A FRIEND IN DEADLY PERIL, AND OUR 
THREE HEROES COME TO GRIEF, 

Eeturning to his own quarters in the palace, and 
chafing to find that some one had informed the 
Queen about his son’s defection, Eainiharo en- 
countered a favourite nephew, named Soa, who had 
also, unknown to his uncle, given up idolatry, and, 
like Prince Eamonja, been led to embrace the Gospel 
through the instrumentality of Prince Eakota. 

“ Well met, Soa,” said the premier, “ I have a pro- 
clamation to make which will bring sorrow to the 
hearts of some of these hated Christians.” 

He paused a moment, as if in thought, and Soa, 
a fine-looking young man of pleasant countenance 
and agile frame, seemed about to reply, but checked 
himself. 

“ Now, my boy,” resumed the old man, I have a 
piece of work for you to do. You have heard of the 
arrival of the Englishmen ? ” 

“Yes, uncle.” 

N 


194 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


“ Well, I have reason to believe that they have 
been led hither by that son of a thunderbolt, liavo- 
ninohitriniony, and that he is even now in hiding in 
the neighbourhood. At the gate you will find one 
of our spies who will conduct you to the cavern 
in which he lies concealed. Of course I could have 
him seized at once if I chose, but I have a deeper 
game to play, and want to make Eavoninohitriniony 
an unwitting instrument. It seems that more of the 
people in the palace are Christians than I knew 
of. It has come to my ears that some of these 
intend going stealthily to the cave to meet Eavo- 
ninohitriniony, for they are fond of this -son of a 
wild boar, and probably hope to have news by him 
of their banished kindred.” 

Lest it should be supposed that we are putting 
flippant expressions into the mouth of Eainiharo, we 
may explain that the Malagasy define an ungrateful 
man as the “ son of a thunderbolt,” and sometimes 
as the offspring of a wild boar,” because — so they 
say — the young of the wild boar, when running by 
the side of its dam, continually gets in advance and 
turns round to bite her. The ingratitude of which our 
friend Eavonino was supposed to be guilty, consisted 
in his having -forsaken the idols of the country and 
renounced the favour of the Queen by becoming a 
Christian, preferring, like Moses, to suffer affliction 
with the banished people of God. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 195 

No doubt,” continued the premier, “ they will be 
praying and psalm-singing. Now, knowing your 
detestation of these Christians,! have resolved to send 
you to their meeting as a Christian. You are wise 
enough to know how to act when among them. 
Take note of the men and women you see there, 
whether high or low ; make out a list of them, and 
bring it to me. Death and chains shall be their 
portion, for I am fully more determined than the 
Queen is to stamp out this religion. Go, and do 
as I bid ye as quickly as you can.” 

For a few seconds the youth stood perplexed and 
irresolute. Then he said, suddenly, “ Yes, uncle, I 
will go, according to your bidding, as a Christian 1 ” 
and hastily left the room. 

Meanwhile Mark Breezy and his companions, 
led by Laihova, followed the throng of country-folk 
to the market-place. They had passed the guard at 
the gate by means of that potent talisman, silver, 
before which few gates are permanently closed. If 
the party had sought to pass with any pomp or 
circumstance, or if they had carried merchandise 
along with them, they could not have passed so 
easily ; but Laihova had only to bestow some bits 
of silver on the guard and the way was at once 
clear. They might have passed without it, how- 
ever, had they known of Eakota's interference in 
their favour. 


196 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


We speak of “ bits ” of silver advisedly, for the 
Malagasy take the simplest and most literal way of 
making small change; they clip their dollars into 
little pieces of various sizes, and therewith transact 
the business that in other lands is settled with 
pence. As these clippings are not very accurate, 
however, they weigh the pieces, and for this purpose 
every one carries about with him a tiny pair of 
scales in his waist-cloth. These dollars were all 
foreign coins, for the Malagasy at that time had (and 
we believe still have) no native coinage. All silver 
that comes to their net is considered good fish. The 
standard coin is the Spanish dollar, but one will find 
every variety of European and American money in 
circulation among them. The method of clipping 
and weighing the small change might be thought 
somewhat cumbrous in European markets, for the 
dollar is cut up into eight sikdjy (each about six- 
pence) ; the sikdjy into nine hranamhatm, and each 
^ranamb^tra into ten vary-ventyy each of which last 
is about the weight of a plump grain of rice. Four 
weights, marked with a government stamp, are used 
in weighing the money. These weights are equal, 
respectively, to about a half-a-dollar, a quarter- 
dollar, sixpence, and fourpence. Other amounts are 
obtained by varying these in the opposite scales and 
adding grains of rice. But all this forms no diffi- 
culty in Madagascar. Like most Easterns the 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


197 


natives there dearly love to haggle and prolong a 
bargain — as our travellers found to their amusement 
that day ; for not only were the principals vociferous 
in their disputations, but the bystanders entered into 
the spirit of the thing and volunteered their opinions! 

Profound was the interest of the white men in 
this market, and deep was the absorption of Ebony, 
for that amiable negro had a faculty of totally for- 
getting himself and absolutely projecting himself 
into the shoes of other people, thus identifying him- 
self with their interests — a faculty which cost him 
many anxious, indignant, pathetic, and hilarious 
moments. 

Das a most ’straor’nary sight,” he said, looking 
round with glistening eyes and expanded lips at the 
crowds of people who pressed along the road leading 
to Zom^, the great market-place. 

“ By the way they stare at you. Ebony,” said 
Hockins, “they evidently think you something 
’straor’nary ! ” 

“Not at all, ’Ockins. You’s wrong, as usual,” 
retorted the negro. “ Dey quite used to black mans, 
but I tink dis de fust time dat some ob dem hab 
saw a man wid a face like putty.” 

There was indeed some ground for the negro’s 
remark, for the people crowded round our heroes 
and gazed at them with undisguised interest. 

The market-place was well suited to give some 


198 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


idea of the various types of countenance among 
the different tribes from distant parts of the island, 
also for making acquaintance with the products of 
the country and the manufactures of the people. 
It was a sort of museum and centre of commerce 
combined, with all the varied incidents, comical, 
semi-tragic, and otherwise, for which markets in 
general are more or less famed. 

Here were to be seen great heaps of earthenware 
of red clay — pans for cooking rice, water-jars, bottles, 
and dishes of all sorts, as well as English crockery, 
especially that with the old wiUow-pattern design ! 
There were great varieties of straw hats, beautifully 
made of rice and other straw. Elsewhere might be 
seen iron-work of native manufacture, some of it 
displaying considerable taste and skilful workman- 
ship. There were also beds, with well-turned posts, 
made of a wood like mahogany, and the mattresses 
for these were stuffed with down from a certain 
flower, which made soft and comfortable couches. 
Lambas of many kinds were also to be seen, from 
those of coarse rofia cloth to those of finer and more 
ornamental material — though the finest silk lambas 
and the more expensive European goods were not 
often exposed for sale there, but were to be had at 
the houses of the traders and manufacturers. One 
part of the market was devoted to wood for the 
rafters and framework of houses, another to the sale 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. ' 199 

of vegetables and fruits — among which were sweet 
potatoes, manioc, beans, maize, peaches, bananas, 
mangoes, pine-apples, oranges, lemons, pumpkins, 
melons, grapes. Cape gooseberries, mulberries, guavas, 
pomegranates, and many others, besides bread-fruit 
and rice — whichdast-is the staple food of the people. 

“Oh! I say, 'Ockins,” whispered Ebony at this 
point, “ my mout 's a- waterin’.” 

“Well, mine’s somethin’ in the same way,” 
returned the seaman, “but we haven’t a rap to buy 
with.” 

Whether Laihova overheard the whisper or not 
we cannot tell, but he- stopped at that moment, pur- 
chased a large -quantity of the tempting fruit, and 
handed it, without a word, to his friends, who 
received it with becoming gratitude. 

“ You ’s a trump, Hovey,” said the negro, as he 
put a whole peach into his capacious mouth. 

“ Ditto,” said Hockins, performing the same feat 
with a banana. 

“ Do I hear music ? ” said Mark Breezy. 

“ An’ don’t I smell rum ? ” remarked Hockins. 

“ An’ doesn’t I hear cackling ? ” inquired Ebony. 

By way of answer to all three, Laihova turned 
round the corner of a stall, when the party reached a 
spot which was devoted to the sale of native rum, or 
“toaka”— a coarse fiery spirit made from sugar- 
cane, and sold at a very low price. Here a native 


200 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


musician was discovered twanging a native guitar, 
either as an accompaniment to the cackling of 
hundreds of fowls and the gobbling of innumerable 
turkeys, or as a desperate effort to beat these 
creatures at their own game of noise. 

On inquiry Mark found that fowls were sold 
at from fourpence to eightpence a-piece ; geese and 
turkeys from a shilling to eighteenpence. Also that 
beef and vegetables were proportionally cheap. 

“It seems to me,” remarked Hockins, as they 
moved slowly along, enjoying the fruit and the 
scene, “that this here island is a sort of paradise.” 

Before many minutes were over the seaman had 
reason to change his views considerably on this point, 
for their guide led them to a spot where the slave- 
market was held. The sights they witnessed there 
were such as filled the hearts of the white men with 
deep sorrow and indignation, while it drew tears 
from the eyes of the sympathetic negro. Bor the 
men and women and children were no mere criminals 
who might in some sense be deserving of their fate 
— though such there were also amongst them, — but 
many of the men were guilty of. political offences 
only, and not a few, both of men and women, were 
martyrs, who, because they had left the faith of their 
fathers and become followers oT Jesus Christ, were 
sold into temporary — in some cases , perpetual — 
slavery, with their wives and families. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 201 

At sight of these unfortunates Laihova was 
evidently much affected, though he made strenuous 
efforts to conceal his feelings. 

You are grieved, I see,” said Mark, in a tone of 
profound sympathy wliich touched his guide’s heart. 

“Grieved! Yes — verily,” said Laihova, whose 
broken English was much interlarded with Scrip- 
tural words and expressions, “ for does I not see my 
friends there ? But comr. They must not know me. 
It ia danger. Com.” 

He led them quickly away from the slave-market, 
and as they walked along he explained that some of 
the poor slaves whom they had just seen thus 
publicly exposed for sale were among the nobles of 
the land — not only in regard to human rank, but 
in right of that patent which man can neither 
give nor take away, — an upright regenerated 
soul. He further explained, as best he could, that 
slaves in his land were derived from three or four 
different sources — namely, captives taken in war; 
persons condemned to slavery for crime, for political 
offences, and for religious opinions ; people who had 
been sold for debt, and the descendants of all of 
these. 

They had gradually quitted the market while thus 
engaged in conversation, and were ascending one of 
the steeper parts of the city, when their attention 
was attracted by a shouting not far off. 


202 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Presently they observed a number of men and 
boys running in and out amongst the bouses and the 
low walls which surrounded them, as if in chase of 
something. Soon a man was seen to dart along the 
road they were following. As he drew near they 
observed that he stumbled as he ran, yet forced the 
pace and panted violently — like one running for his 
life. A few moments more and the crowd was close 
at his heels, pelting him with stones and yelling like 
wild beasts. The fugitive turned up a narrow lane 
between high walls close to where our party stood. 
He was closely followed by the crowd. 

At this point some of the pursuers stopped as if 
from exhaustion. 

“What has he done?” said Laihova to one of 
these. 

“ He has been stealing in the market by cutting 
a lamba.” 

It is the practice to carry money tied up in 
a corner of the lamba, and thieves, by cutting off 
this corner, sometimes manage to secure the money. 

A great cry arose just then, and some of the 
pursuers came running back. 

“ He is down,” said one. “ He is dead ! ” said 
another. 

How our friend Hockins was one of those men 
who have at all times an irresistible tendency to 
take the part of the weak against the strong, with- 


THE TYEANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


203 


out much regard to the cause of battle! He 
instantly, without a word, ran off at full speed to 
the rescue. Ebony ran after him from sympathy. 
Mark Breezy followed from the natural desire to 
keep by his comrades, and back them up, while 
Laihova followed — no doubt from good-fellowship ! 

They soon came upon the poor man, who was 
completely naked, bruised and bleeding, and sur- 
rounded by a crowd of youths, who were deliberately 
stoning him as if he were a dangerous animal or a 
mad dog. 

With a roar like a lion Hockins went at them. 
He tripped up some half-dozen big boys, flattened 
still more the flat noses of some of the men, stretch- 
ing them flat on their backs, and then, standing 
astride the fallen man, flourished his enormous fists, 
and invited the entire population of Antananarivo 
to come on ! ” 

The population refused the invitation and retired. 

Ebony was not slow to follow suit, with this 
variation, that instead of roaring he yelled, and 
instead of bestriding the fallen man, he gave sudden 
chase hither and thither, with powerful efiect, 
rendering the rout complete. 

Meanwhile Mark attended to the injured man, 
who seemed to be dead. Turning him over on his 
back he discovered, to his inexpressible amazement, 
that he was no other than their old friend Mamba 


204 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


— the crocodile — whom they had left with his mother 
and the others in the cave many days before. 

How is it possible,” he exclaimed, while dressing 
his wounds, “ that he can have arrived at the same 
time with us, for we started before him and have 
travelled fast ? ” 

Laihova explained that Mamba was one of the 
fleetest men in the island, and that he could easily 
have passed them though starting later than they 
did. But why he had come, and why he had passed 
instead of overtaking and travelling with them, he 
could not even guess. 

As most of poor Mamba’s wounds were bruises, 
and the few cuts were not deep, his four friends 
raised him and carried him quickly into a neigh- 
bouring house, the door of which was immediately 
shut. Laihova explained that it was the house of 
a personal friend of his own, who was also a 
Christian, but secretly, for fear of the Queen. 

Here Mamba was sufficiently brought round by 
Mark’s ministrations to be able to sit up and answer 
questions, but at first he seemed disinclined to speak, 
and then gave evasive replies. 

“ Why this secrecy, my friend ? ” asked Laihova, in 
the native language. 

If I could answer,” said Mamba, “ there would 
be no secrecy.” 

“True, and I would not pry into your secrets,” 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 205 

returned Laihova, “but we would help you if we 
can.” 

“You cannot help me,” returned Mamba, in a 
somewhat sad tone. “I have business in hand 
which requires haste. I have tried to keep clear of 
you to prevent delay, and to avoid mixing myself 
up in your dangers, for you are in danger here. I 
would not have come near the town at all, but I 
required to make a purchase in the market, and 
hoped to do so without being recognised. Unfor- 
tunately an old '"enemy saw me. He fell on the 
device of cutting off the corner of his own lamba, 
and then, raising the cry of thief,' pretended that 
I- had "done it. I ran. You know my speed of foot. 
I trusted to that instead of trusting to my God. 
They surrounded me. You know the end.” 

While Mamba was yet speaking a loud knocking 
was heard at the door, and a stern voice demanded 
admittance. 

On hearing it Mamba leaped from the couch on 
which he had been laid as if nothing were the 
matter with him. He glanced hastily round. The 
owner of the house seemed to divine his wishes, for 
he pointed to a small window which opened into 
what appeared to be a court at the back of the 
dwelling. The window was merely a square 
opening, which appeared scarcely wide enough to let 
a man’s shoulders pass, but Mamba did not hesitate. 


206 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


To the amazement of Mark and his friends he took 
what is familiarly known as a “ header ” through the 
window — dj la harlequin — and disappeared. To 
the still greater amazement of Mark and his friends, 
Laihova instantly followed suit, without a word of 
explanation! Indeed there was no time for that. 
A moment after the owner of the dwelling opened 
the door with a very submissive look and admitted 
a band of armed men. 

The leader of the band, from his dress and 
bearing, was evidently a man of position. He 
carried in his hand a large spear highly ornamented 
with silver. This weapon — as Mark afterwards 
learned — was an official spear with the Queen’s 
name engraven on it. The bearer of it, as well as 
the spear itself, was named “ Tsitialainga,” which 
means “ Hater of Lies.” 

Turning to the owner of the house, the Hater of 
Lies sternly asked some questions of him ; but as he 
spoke in the native tongue he was unintelligible to 
our travellers, whose spirits were not cheered by the 
scowling looks of the armed men. Whatever the 
question was, the answer appeared to be unsatis- 
factory, for the Hater of Lies immediately turned to 
his men, and pointing with the silver spear to the 
three strangers, gave them a command. 

Instantly they -sprang upon Mark and his 
companions, and seized them. Both Hockins and 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OE MADAGASCAR. 


207 


Ebony were for a moment- paralysed by surprise; 
then, their impulsive souls being stirred by a 
sudden gush of indignation, they gathered them- 
selves up for a mighty burst which would certainly 
have resulted in disaster of some sort if Mark had 
not recovered presence of mind in time. 

“ Submit I^submit ! ” he- shouted in a loud voice 
of authority. Then, in a sharp but lower tone, “ It 
is our only chance ! Don't resist ! ” 

With feelings of something like despair the two 
men obeyed. A few minutes more and they were 
bound, led through the streets surrounded by a 
guard, which alone protected them from death at 
the hands of the angry populace. Then they were 
cash into a dark prison, Toaded with -chains, and left 
to their reflections. 


208 


THE FUGITIVES, OB 


CHAPTER XV. 

THE SPIES AND THE SECRET MEETING— THE PRIME 
MINISTER FOILED BY THE PRINCE. 

The sun was setting, the air was balmy, the face 
of nature was beautiful, the insects and birds were 
buzzing, humming, and chirping happily, as if there 
were no such things as care and sorrow in the wide 
world, when Soa, the prime minister’s nephew, with 
his guide, approached the forest in which was the 
cavern where the persecuted Christians had arranged 
to hold their secret meeting. 

I am to go as a Christian ! ” thought Soa, as he 
walked on swiftly and in silence, “as a Christian 
hypocrite and spy ! 

The young man’s countenance relaxed into some- 
thing like a smile as he thought thus; then it 
became solemnised as he offered the silent prayer, 
“Lord, enable me to do the work honestly and 
well.” 

The way was long, but the youth’s limbs were 
strong and agile, so that night had not long over- 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 209 

spread the land when he reached the end of his 
journey. The night was unusually dark — well 
adapted for deeds of secrecy and crime. If it had 
been lighter the two spies would have seen a number 
of men and women, and even children, hurrying 
along stealthily in the same direction with them- 
selves. They observed only two or three of these, 
however, who chanced to fall in their way. They 
loomed up suddenly like spectres out of the sur- 
rounding darkness and as quickly melted into it 
again. Soa paid no attention to these apparitions, 
neither did he utter a word to his companion during 
the journey. 

Most of the way he kept a pace or two in advance 
of his guide, but when they reached the more 
intricate and broken grounds of the forest, he fell 
behind and suffered the other to lead. 

At last the path wound so much among broken 
rocks and over steep knolls that their progress 
became very slow — all the more so that the over- 
shadowing trees rendered the darkness profound. 
Sometimes they had to clamber up steep places on 
hands and knees. 

Suddenly they were arrested by what seemed to 
them a faint cry or wail. Listening intently, they 
perceived that the sounds were musical. 

The Christians are singing,’* said the spy in a 
tone which, low though it was, betrayed a touch of 
0 


210 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


contempt. “ They hold their meeting in a cave on 
the other side of this mound.” 

“Eemain here, then, till I return to you,” said 
Soa. “ They know you to be a spy. They will not 
suppose that I have come in such a capacity.” 

The man gave vent to a slight 4augh 'at the sup- 
posed joke and sat down, while the courtier advanced 
alone. 

On the other side of the mound the sounds which 
had reached the listeners’ ears as a wail now swelled 
upon the young man as a well-known hymn in which 
he had many times joined. A feeling of joy, almost 
amounting to triumph, filled his heart as he stood 
there listening. While he listened he observed 
several indistinct forms glide past him and enter the 
cave. He crept after them. 

A strange sight met his eyes. The cave was so 
large and high that the single torch which burned 
in it merely lighted up a portion of the wall against 
which it was fixed. Even in the immediate neigh- 
bourhood of the torch things were more or less 
indistinct, while all else was shrouded in darkness 
profound. Here more than a hundred dusky figures 
were assembled — those furthest from the light 
melting, as it were, into the darkness, and leaving 
the imagination to people illimitable space with 
similar beings. 

Soa slipped in, and sat down on a jutting rock 



A FUGITIVE MEETING.— Page 210. 



THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


211 


near the entrance just as the hymn was closing. 
Few people observed him. Immediately after, an 
old man who sat nearest the light rose to pray. 
Beside him stood our friend Eavonino. On the 
other side sat a young man with a remarkably 
intelligent countenance. 

With intense earnestness and great simplicity the 
old man prayed, in the name of Jesus, that the 
Holy Spirit might bless their meeting and deliver 
them from the power of their enemies. He also 
prayed with much emphasis that their enemies 
might be turned into Christian friends — at which 
petition a loud “Amen” arose from the wor- 
shippers. 

“ How Totosy will speak,” said the old man, after 
a brief pause, turning to the young man with the 
intelligent countenance. “ Let the Word be brought 
forth.” 

“ Stop ! ” cried a man, rising in the midst of the 
crowd, “it may not be safe to bring out the Word 
just now.” 

“ Why not, my son ? ” asked the old man. “ Are 
not all here to-night our friends ? ” 

“ I think not,” returned the man. “ As I came 
along I saw one of the Queen’s spies, who is well 
known to me. He was walking with the nephew of 
our deadly foe Kainiharo, and Soa- himself sits 
ihere / 


212 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


He turned as he spoke, and pointed straight at 
Soa, who rose at once and'advanced to the front. 

My friends,” he said, in a gentle voice, “ the last 
speaker is' right. I am here, and I was led here by 
one of the Queen’s spies. But the spy is not here. 
He awaits me outside. Let two of your young men 
guard the entrance of the cave so that our conference 
may not he overheard.” 

Two stalwart youths rose at once and hurried to 
the outside of this primitive meeting-house, where 
they mounted guard. 

“I have been sent,” continued Soa, “by my uncle, 
with orders to- enter your meeting ‘ as a Christian^ 
take note of your names, and report them to him !” 

There was a tendency on the part of some to 
shrink into the background on hearing this. 

“Now,” continued Soa, “I have come to obey 
only part of his orders. I have come, as a Christian, 
to warn you of the dangers that surround you. The 
Queen is exceeding mad against you. It will be 
your wisest course to refrain from meeting together 
just now, and rest -content with worshipping in 
your own homes. But let not this distress you, my 
friends. The God whom we love is able to turn dark- 
ness into light and to make crooked things straight. 
Neither let it break up our meeting just now. We 
are safe at present. Let us get out the Word and 
enjoy the worship of our Saviour while we may.” 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 2l3 

There were murmurs of assent and satisfaction 
at the close of this brief address, and one of the 
young men, with grave — almost mysterious — looks, 
took up a small spade and went towards that 
part of the wall where Kavonino sat. The latter 
rose to let the young men get at a particular spot, 
which was marked on the wall with a small — 
almost imperceptible — red square. Here, after 
turning up a few spadefuls of earth, he struck upon 
a stone. Lifting it, he disclosed a* hole about a 
foot square. The old man who presided at the 
meeting thrust his hands into this hole and gently 
lifted out a thick volume, which he laid reverently 
upon a flat rock that formed a sort of natural table 
in front of him. 

This was “the Word” to which reference had 
been made — an old, much-soiled and worn 
Malagasy Bible, which had been buried there, so 
that, whatever might become of its Christian owners, 
it might escape being found and condemned to 
the flames, as so many of its fellows had been. 

It was a- curious Bible this, in more respects than 
one. In Madagascar the Bible was printed first in 
sections by the natives, under the superintendence 
of the missionaries ; these sections got scattered, for 
teaching purposes, and various editions of different 
sizes were printed at different times. The original 
owner — if we may not call him fabricator — of the 


214 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Bible, now referred to as having been dug up in the 
cave, must, in his desire to possess the Word of 
God complete, have been at considerable pains to 
secure every fragment and leaf that came in his 
way, and then had them all bound together. A 
clasp of leather and a European hook-and-eye 
fastened the edges. The different portions, of 
course, did not fit exactly, and some of the verses 
necessarily overlapped. Nevertheless, a nearly 
complete and substantial Bible was the result of 
his labours.^ 

Taking up the treasured book with great care, the 
young man before mentioned by the name of Totosy 
opened it and selected a text. “Bear not, little 
flock, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you 
the kingdom.” 

From this he preached an admirable sermon, full 
of hope and consolation to men and women situated 
as his companions were at that time, and holding up 
Jesus not only as the deliverer of the world from 
sin but from fear of physical death. Strengthening 
of this sort, truly, was much needed, for during the 
previous persecutions of 1837 and 1849 Queen 


1 A Bible of the kind here described may now be seen in tbe 
Museum of the British and Foreign Bible Society, 146 Queen 
Victoria Street, London, just as it was dug up out of the earth, 
where it had been buried by Christian natives who probably perished 
ill the persecutions. The New Testament bears the date of 1830, the 
Old Testament that of 1835. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAE. 


215 


Kanavalona had given terrible evidence of her 
fierce and relentless nature, so that Christians were 
now well aware of what they had to expect if 
another cruel fit came upon her. 

The sermon finished, another hymn was sung, 
followed by a prayer, after which, before finally 
breaking up and dispersing, the worshippers 
collected in various groups ; and exclamations of 
surprise, joy, and fervent thanksgiving were heard, 
now and again, when friends who had parted as 
enemies on account of religious differences unex- 
pectedly met as brothers in the Lord. 

It has ever been a result of persecution that the 
persecuted cause has made progress — naturally so, 
for trial and suffering winnow out the chaff and 
leave the good seed to fiourish with increased 
vigour. Few false professors attended those mid- 
night meetings, which were so full of joy and 
danger, and none of these ever got the length of 
Kanavalona's fiery stakes or the fearful “ rock of 
hurling.” 

For fully a^quarter of a century (from 1836 to 
1861) did the .persecution of the native Christians 
last in Madagascar. During most of that dark period 
Queen Eanavalona i. endeavoured, by cruel pro- 
hibitive laws, torture, and death, to stamp out the 
love of Christ from her dominions. Through most 
of that period she tried to prevent her people from 


216 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


meeting for worship, praying to God in the name of 
Christ, or reading the Scriptures or any other 
Christian book, and those who disobeyed her did 
so at the risk of losing property, liberty, or life. 
Nevertheless, in spite of this, worship was kept up 
in secret — in secluded villages, in recesses of the 
forest, in caves, even in rice-holes ; the Word was 
read, faithful natives preached, and Baptism and 
the Lord’s Supper were continuously observed. 
Small portions of Scripture — even leaves — were 
carefully treasured and passed from hand to hand 
until “ these calamities ” were past ; and now, at the 
present time, the Church in Madagascar is ten 
times stronger than ever it was before ! 

Of course active persecution was not maintained 
throughout the whole period of twenty-five years. 
The volcano smouldered at times. For brief periods 
it almost seemed as if about to become extinct, but 
at intervals it burst forth with renewed violence. 
At the time of which we write (1857) there were 
mutterings of the volcano, and portents in the air 
which filled the persecuted ones, and those who 
loved them, with grave anxiety. 

In a dark corner of the cavern Soa and Eavonino 
stood apart, after the service was over, and conversed 
in subdued tones. 

“ Do you think the lives of my comrades are in 
danger ? ” asked the latter, anxiously. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR, 


217 


“ It is difficult to answer that,” replied Soa. 
“ The Queen fears to offend the English by putting 
European subjects to death ; but she is in a savage 
mood just now, and your friends have intermeddled 
with matters that they would have been wise to let 
alone. .Banishment is more likely to be their fate, 
but that will be almost equal to death. 

“ How so ? ” asked Kavonino. 

Because Eanavalona will probably treat them as 
she treated the Europeans who lately tried to over- 
throw her government. She sent them down to the 
coast with nrders to their-conductors to keep them 
so long on the way — especially on the unhealthy 
fever-stricken parts of the route — that sickness 
might have time^to kill them.” 

“ And was the 'plan- successful ? ” 

“Hot quite, for the white people turned out to be 
tough. They managed to get away from our island 
alive, but in a state of health, I believe, that will 
very likely prevent them from ever wishing to 
return ! ” 

I have much love for these men,” said Eavonino, 
after a pause. “ You have influence with Eainiharo. 
Can you not befriend them ?” 

“ I shall have little influence now with my uncle,” 
returned Soa, sadly, “ for I am a Christian, and he 
will soon discover that. But I will help them if I 
can — for your sake.” 


218 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


“And Eafaravavy,” said Eavonino, in a lower 
voice, “ do you think she can be induced to fly ? If 
she were brought to me here, I should have little 
difficulty in taking her to a place of safety.” 

“ The difficulties in your way are greater than you 
suppose,” said Soa. “ The Queen’s spies and soldiers 
are out all over the land. Even now, were it not 
that I am your friend and brother in Jesus, you 
would have been caught here as in a trap. Besides, 
there is the greater^ difficulty that Eafaravavy is 
filled with fidelity to her royal mistress, and pities 
her so much that she will not leave her. You know 
that she openly confesses Christ in the palace, yet 
so great is the Queen’s ^ regard for her that she will 
not listen to my uncle, who would gladly see her 
tossed over the ^rock of hurling.’ I had converse 
with her the other day, and I see that she even 
hopes to be the instrument of the Queen’s conver- 
sion to Christianity.” 

“ God bless her !” exclaimed Eavonino, fervently. 

“Amen!” returned Soa, “and I doubt not that 
the blessing will, come, though it may not come in 
the way we hope. It is no easy matter to say 
‘ Thy will be done ’ when we are suffering.” 

“ Prince Eakota has done much for the Christians 
in time past,” urged poor Eavonino, who felt that all 
hope of delivering the girl he loved, at the present 
time, from the dangers that surrounded her was 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 219 

gradually vslipping away £rom him ; “ surely he can 
and will protect her.” 

"I fear he has not the power,” answered Soa. 
“He has interfered in behalf of the Christians so 
often of late that the Queen is losing patience ; and 
you know that if she once gives way to her cruel 
rage, the life of Eakota himself is not safe. But, 
you may trust me, my friend ; I will do my best to 
move him to aid you — and your friends also.” 

Most of the people had left the cave while these 
two were conversing, with the understanding that 
they were not to return, as it was no longer a safe 
retreat. Another and more distant rendezvous was, 
however, appointed; the treasured Bible was not 
restored to its old place of concealment, but carried 
off by Totosy, the young preacher, to be reburied in 
a new place of refuge. 

“Do you follow them?” asked Soa of Bavonino, 
when the others had all gone and they were about 
to part. 

“ 'No. My companions will come here expecting 
to find me if they escape. I must remain, whatever 
befalls. If the soldiers come, I will see them before 
they arrive, and give them the slip. If they give 
chase they will find it troublesome to catch me !” 

When Soa returned to the city he went straight 
to the apartments of the prime minister, whom he 
found impatiently awaiting him. 


220 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


You have been long,” said the latter. 

“ The distance is great,” replied the nephew. 

“Well?” exclaimed the uncle, inquiringly. 

“ You ordered me to act as a Christian,” returned 
the young man, with a slight smile, “ and you know 
it takes time to do that.” 

“ True — true. And you have brought me the list ? ” 

“ No, uncle.” 

“ What mean you, boy ?” 

“ I mean that I have obeyed your first command ; 
I have been to the Christian meeting as a Chris- 
tian” 

A puzzled, inquiring look overspread the premier’s 
countenance. 

“Well, what then?” 

“Well, then, of course I acted the part of a 
Christian to the best of my power. I told them why 
1 had been sent, warned them of the evil intended 
them, and advised them to escape for their lives; 
but, as no immediate danger was to be feared, I 
joined them in their worship.” 

“And you have brought no list ?” 

“ None.” 

Kainiharo’s -visage, while his nephew spoke, was a 
sight to behold ; for the conflicting emotions aroused 
produced a complexity of expression that is quite 
indescribable. 

“Young man!” he said, sternly, “you have^dis- 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


221 


obeyed my orders. Why have you done-this ? Your 
head mustiall, for you^how that you are a. Christian.” 

With great, simplicity and. gentleness Soa said: 
“ Yes, my uncle, I a Christian ; and if you please 
you may put me to death, for I do -pray to Jesus.” 

Utterly .confounded by this straightforward and 
fearless reply, Eainiharo stood for some moments 
gazing in silent wonder at the youth who thus calmly 
stood prepared to abide the consequences of his 
confession. At first it almost seemed as if, in his 
anger, he would with his own hand, then and there, 
inflict the, punishment he threatened; but once 
again, as in the case of Eanavaloua, love proved 
more powerful than anger. 

“iN'o, no, boy,” he said, turning away with a wave 
of his hand, as if to .dismiss the subject finally, '‘you 
shall not. die. It is a delusion. You deceive your- 
self. Go. Leave me!” 

Soa obeyed, and went straight to the apartment 
of Prince Eakota to relate to that fast friend and 
comrade his recent adventures, and consult with him 
about the dark cloud that threatened to burst in 
persecution over the unhappy land. 


222 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


CHAPTEE XVI 

IN PRISON— EFFECTS OF A FIRST SIGHT OF TORTURE. 

A NEW day had begun, cattle were lowing on the 
distant plain, and birds were chirping their matu- 
tinal songs in bush and tree when Mark Breezy, 
John Hockins, and James Ginger — alias Ebony — 
awoke from their uneasy rest on the prison floor and 
sat up with their backs against the wall. Their 
chains rattled sharply as they did so. 

“ Well now,” said Hockins, gasping forth his morn- 
ing yawn in spite of circumstances, “ I Ve many a 
time read and heard it of other folk, but I never did 
think I should live to hear my own chains rattle.” 

“ Eight you are, ’Ockins ; ob course I ’s got de same 
sentiments zactly,” said the negro, lifting up his 
strong arm and ruefully surveying the heavy iron 
links of native manufacture that descended from 
his wrist, 

Mark only sighed. It was the first time he had 
ever been restrained, even by bolt or bar, much less 
by^ manacles, and the effect on his young mind was 
at first overwhelming. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 223 

Bright though the sun was outside, very little of 
its light found a. passage through the. chinks of their 
all but windowless prison-house, so that they could 
scarcely see the size or character of the place. But 
this mattered little. They were too much crushed 
by their misfortune to care. For some time they 
sat without speaking, each feeling quite incapable 
of uttering a word of cheer to his fellows. 

The silence was suddenly but softly broken by 
the sound of song. It seemed to come from a very 
dark corner of the prison in which nothing could be 
seen. To the startled prisoners it sounded like 
heavenly .music—^and indeed such it was, for in 
that corner sat two Christian- captives who were 
spending the first minutes of the new day in singing 
praise to God. 

The three comrades listened with rapt attention, 
for although the words were unintelligible, with the 
exception of the name of Jesus, the air was quite 
familiar, being one of those in which English-speaking 
Christians are wont to sing praise all the world over. 

When the hymn ceased one of the voices was 
raised in a reverent and continuous tone, which 
was obviously the voice of prayer. 

Just as the petition was concluded the sun found 
a loop-hole in the prison, and poured a flood of light 
into it which partly illumined the dark corner, and 
revealed two men seated on the ground with their 


224 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


backs against the wall. They were fine-looking 
men, nearly naked, and joined together by means of 
a ponderous piece of- iron above two feet long, with a 
heavy ring at eitlier end which encircled their necks. 
The rings were so thick that their ends must have 
been forced together with sledge-hammer and anvil 
after being put round the men’s necks, and then over- 
lapped and riveted. Thus it became impossible to 
free them from their fetters except by the slow and 
laborious process of cutting them through with a 
file. Several old and healed-up sores on themecks 
and collar-bones of both men indicated that they and 
their harsh couplings had been acquainted for a 
long time, and one or two infiamed spots told all 
too clearly that they had not yet become quite re- 
conciled.^ 

“ Now isn’t that awful,” said John Hockins in a 
low voice with a sort of choke in it, “ to think that 
these poor fellows — wi’ that horrible thing that 
can’t be much under thirty pounds weight on their 
necks, an’ that must ha’ bin there for months if not 
for years-^are singin’ an’ prayin’ to the Almighty, 
an’ here am I, John Hockins, with little or nothin’ 
to complain of as yet, haven’t given so much as a 
thought to ” 

^ 1 The fetters here described may be seen in the Museum of the 

London Missionary Society in Blomfield Street, London, along with 
an interesting collection of Malagasy relics. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


225 


The choke got the better of our sailor at this point, 
and he became suddenly silent. 

“ Das so !” burst in Ebony, with extreme energy. 
“ I 's wid you dere ! I tell you what it is, 'Ockins, 
dem brown niggers is true Kistians, an’ we white 
folks is nuffin but^hipperkrits.” 

I hope we ’re not quite so- bad as- that, Ebony,” 
said Mark, with a sad smile. “ Nevertheless, Hockins 
is right — we are far behind these poor fellows in 
submission andvgratitude to our Maker.” 

While he spoke the heavy door of the prison 
opened, and a jailor entered with two large basins 
of boiled rice. The largest he put on the ground 
before our three travellers, the other in front of the 
coupled men, and then retired without a word. 

“ Well, thank God for this, anyhow,” said Mark, 
taking up one of the three spoons which lay on the 
rice and going to work with a will. 

Just so,” responded the seaman. I ’m thankful 
too, and quite ready for grub.” 

“.Curious ting, ’Ockins,” remarked Ebony, “dat 
your happytite an’ mine seems to be allers in de 
same state-Vsharp ! ” 

The seaman’s appetite was indeed so sharp that 
he did not vouchsafe a reply. The prisoners in the 
dark corner seemed much in the same condition, but 
their anxiety to begin did not prevent their shutting 
their eyes for a few seconds and obviously asking a 
P 


226 


THE FUGITIVES, OH 


blessing on their meal. Hockins observed the act, 
and there passed over his soul another wave of self- 
condemnation, which was indicated by a deprecatory 
shake of his rugged head. 

Observing it. Ebony paused a moment and 
said — 

“ You ’s an awrful sinner, ’Ockins ! 

“ True, Ebony.” 

“ Das jist what I is too. Quite as bad as you. 
P’r’aps wuss !” 

“I shouldn’t wonder if you are,” rejoined the 
seaman, recovering his spirits somewhat under the 
stimulating influence of rice. The recovery was not, 
however, sufficient to induce further conversation at 
the time, for they continued after that to eat in silence. 

They had scarcely finished when the jailor 
returned to remove the dish, which he did without 
word or ceremony, and so quickly that Ebony had 
to make a sudden scoop at the last mouthful ; he 
secured it, filled his mouth with it, and then flung 
the spoon at the retiring jailor. 

‘‘ That was not wise,” said Mark, smiling in spite 
of himself at the tremendous pout of indignation 
on the negro’s face ; “ the man has us in his power, 
and may make us very , uncomfortable if we insult 
him.” 

“ Das true, massa,” said Ebony, in sudden peni- 
tence, “ but if dere ’s one thing I can’t stand, it ’s 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 227 

havin’ my wittles took away afore I’m done wid 
’em.” 

“You’ll have to darn to stand it, boy,” said 
Hockins, “else you’ll have your life took away, 
which ’ll be^ wuss.” 

The probability, of this latter event occurring 
was so great that it checked the rise of spirits which 
the rice had caused to set in. 

“ What d’ee think they ’ll do to us, sir ? ” asked the 
sailor, in a tone which showed that he looked up to 
the young doctor ior counsel in difficulty. The 
feeling that, in virtue of his education and training, 
he ought to be in some sort an example and guide 
to his comrades in misfortune, did much to make 
Mark shake off his despondency and pluck up 
heart. 

“God knows, Hockins, what they will do,” he 
said. “If they were a more civilised people we 
might expect to be let off easily for so slight an 
offence as rescuing a supposed criminal, but you 
remember that Eavonino once said, when telling us 
stories round the camp-fire, that, interference with 
what they call the course of justice is considered a 
very -serious offence. Besides, the Queen being in 
a very bad mood just now, and we being Christians, 
it is likely we shall be peculiarly offensive to her. I 
fear that banishment is the least we may count on.” 

“It’s a hard case to be punished for bein’ 


228 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Christians, when we hardly deserve the name. I 
can’t help wonderin’,” said the seaman, ‘‘ that Lovey 
should have bolted as he did an’ left us in the 
lurch. He might at least have taken his risk along 
with us. Anyhow, he could have spoke up for us, 
knowin’ both lingos. Of course it was nat’ral that 
poor Mamba should look after number one, seein’ 
that he was in no way beholden to us ; but Lovey 
was our guide, an’ pledged to stand by us.” 

“ I can’t help thinking,” said Mark, “ that you do 
injustice to Laihova. He is not the man to forsake 
a comrade in distress.” 

“ That was my own opinion,” returned the sailor, 
“ till I seed him go slap through yon port-hole like 
a harlequin.” 

“ P’r’aps he tink he kin do us more service w’en 
free dan as a prisoner,” suggested Ebony. 

“There’s somethin’ in that,” returned Hockins, 
lifting his hand to stroke his beard, as was his wont 
when thoughtful. He lifted it, however, with some 
difficulty, owing to the heavy chain. 

They were still engaged in conversation about 
their prospects when the prison-door again opened, 
and two men were- ushered in. Both wore white 
lambas over their other garments. One was tall 
and very dark. The other was comparatively 
slender, and not so tall as his companion. For a 
moment the strangers stood contemplating the 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


229 


prisoners, and Mark’s attention was riveted on the 
smaller , man, for he felt that his somewhat light- 
coloured and .pleasant features were not unfamiliar 
to him, though he could not call to mind where or 
when he had seen him. Suddenly it flashed across 
him that this was the very man to whose assistance 
he had. gone, and whose -wounds he had bound up, 
soon after his- arrival in the island. 

With a smile of recognition, Mark rose and ex- 
tended his hand as far as his chain permitted. The 
young native stepped forward, grasped the hand, 
and pressed it warmly. Then he looked round at 
his tall . companion, and spoke to him in his own 
tongue, whereupon the tall man advanced a step, 
and said in remarkably bad English — 

“ You save me frind-life one taime ago. Ver’ good 
— ^him now you save.” 

“ Thank him for that promise,” said Mark, greatly 
relieved to And at least one. friend among the natives 
in his hour of need. 

“ But,” continued the Interpreter, “ you muss not 
nottice me frind nowhar. Unerstand ? ” 

“ Oh yes, I think -I do,” returned Mark, with an 
intelligent look. I suppose he does not wish people 
to think that he is helping or favouring us ? ” 

‘‘That’s him! you ’s- got it!” replied the Inter- 
preter, quite, pleased apparently with his- success in 
the use of English. 


230 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


“ My ! ” miirnmred Ebony to Hockins in an under- 
tone, “if I couldn’t spoke better English dan dat 
I ’d swaller my tongue ! ” 

“Well — good-boy,” said the Interpreter, holding 
out his hand, which Mark grasped and shook 
smilingly, as he replied, “ Thank you, I ’m glad you 
think I ’m a good boy.” 

“No, no — not that!” exclaimed the Interpreter, 
“ good day^ not good hoy ; good-night, good morning ! 
We goes out, me an’ me frind. Him’s name EavMo.” 

Again Eavelo shook hands with Mark, despite 
the rattling chain, nodded pleasantly to him, after 
the English fashion, and took his departure with 
his tall friend. 

“ Well now, I do think,” remarked Hockins, when 

the door had closed behind them, “ that Eav 

Eav^-what’s-his-name might have took notice of me 
too as an old friend that helped to do him service.” 

“ Hm ! he seemed to forgit me altogidder,” re- 
marked the negro, pathetically. “Here’s nufiin 
so bad as ingratitood — ’cept lockjaw: das a little 
wuss.” 

“What d’ee mean by lockjaw bein’ wuss?” 
demanded Hockins. 

“W’y, don’t you see? Ingratitood don’t feel 
‘thankee,’ w’ereas lockjaw not on’y don’t feel but 
don’t even say ‘ thankee.’ ” 

A sudden- tumult outside the prison here inter- 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OP MADAGASCAR. 231 

rupted them. Evidently a crowd approached. In 
a few minutes it halted before the door, which was 
hung open, and four prisoners were thrust in, fol- 
lowed by several strong guards and the execrations 
of the crowd. The door was smartly slammed in 
the faces of the yelling people, and the guards pro- 
ceeded to chain the prisoners. 

They were all young men, and Mark Breezy and 
his friends had no doubt, from their gentle ex- 
pression and upright bearing, that they were not 
criminals but condemned Christians. 

Three of them were quickly chained to the wall, 
but the third was thrown on his back, and a complex 
chain was put on his neck and limbs, in such a way 
that, when drawn tight, it forced his body into a 
position that must have caused him severe pain. 
No word or cry escaped him, however, only an 
irrepressible groan when he was thrust into a corner 
and left in that state of torture. 

The horror of Mark and his comrades on seeing 
this done in cold blood cannot be described. To 
hear or read of torture is bad enough, but to see it 
actually .applied is immeasurably worse — to note 
the glance of terror and to hear the slight sound of 
the wrenched joints and stretched sinews, followed 
by the deep groan and the upward glare of agony ! 

With a bursting cry of rage, Hockins, forgetting 
his situation, sprang towards the torturers, was 


232 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


checked by his fetters, and fell with a heavy clang 
and clatter on the floor. Even the cruel guards 
started aside in momentary alarm, and then with a 
contemptuous laugh passed out. 

Hockins had barely recovered his footing, and 
managed to restrain his feelings a little, when the 
door was again opened and the Interpreter re-entered 
with the jailor. 

“ I come — break chains,” said the former. 

He pointed to the chains which bound our 
travellers. They were quickly removed by two 
under-jailors and their chief. 

Now — com vis me.” 

To the surprise of the Interpreter, Mark Breezy 
crossed his arms over his breast, and firmly said — 
“No I” Swiftly understanding his motive, our sea- 
man and Ebony followed suit with an equally 
emphatic “ No ! ” 

The Interpreter looked at them in puzzled sur- 
prise. 

“ See,” said Mark, pointing to the tortured man in 
the corner, “ we refuse to move a step till that poor 
fellow’s chains are eased off.” 

Eor a moment the Interpreter’s look of surprise 
increased; then an indescribable smile lit up his 
swarthy features as he turned to the jailor and 
spoke a few words. The man went immediately to 
the curled-up wretch in the corner and relaxed his 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


233 


cliains so that he was enabled to give, vent to a 
great sigh of .relief. Hockins and Ebony uttered 
sighs of sympathy, almost as loud, and^Mark, turn- 
ing to the Interpreter, said, with some emotion, 
“Thank you ! God bless you ! Now we will follow.” 


234 


THE FUGITIVES, OK 


CHAPTEK XVIL 

MAMBA IS SUCCOURED BY ONE OF THE “ ANCIENT SOOT,” AND 
FULFILS HIS MYSTERIOUS MISSION. 

When Laihova and Mamba took the reckless 
“headers” which we have described in a former 
chapter, they tumbled into a courtyard which was 
used as a sort of workshop. Fortunately for them 
the owner of the house was not a man of orderly 
habits. He was rather addicted to let rubbish lie 
till stern necessity forced him to clear it away. 
Hence he left heaps of dust, shavings, and other 
things to accumulate in heaps. One such heap 
happened to lie directly under the window through 
which the adventurous men plunged, so that, to 
their immense satisfaction, and even surprise, they 
came down soft and arose unhurt. 

Instantly they slipped into an outhouse, and 
there held hurried converse in low tones. 

“ What will you do now ? ” asked Laihova. 

“ I will Temain where I am till might-fall, for I 
dare not show myself all bruised like this. When 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 235 

it is dark I will slip out and continue my journey 
to the coast.” 

“ To.Tamatave ?” asked Laihova, naming the chief 
seaport on the eastern side of Madagascar. 

“ Yes, to Tamatave.” 

‘‘ Do you go there to trade ? ” 

“ ^ 0 . I go on important business.” 

It was evident that, whatever his business might 
be. Mamba, for reasons best known to himself, 
resolved to keep his own counsel. Seeing this, his 
friend said — “Well, I go to the eastward also, for 
Eavoninohitriniony awaits me there ; but I fear that 
our English friends will be thrown into prison.” 

“ Do you think ^ so ? ” asked Mamba, anxiously. 
“ If you think I can be^ helpful I will give up my 
important business and .remain with you.” 

“You cannot help us much, I think. Perhaps your 
presence may be a danger instead of a help. Besides, 
I have friends here who have power. And have we 
not God to direct us in all things ? No, brother, as 
your business is important, go.” 

Mamba was evidently much relieved by this reply, 
and his friend saw clearly that he had intended to 
make a great personal sacrifice when he offered to 
remain. 

“ But now I must myself go forth without delay,” 
continued Laihova. “I am not well known here, 
and, once clear of this house, can walk openly and 


236 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


without much risk out of the city. Whatever befalls 
the Englishmen, Eavoninohitriniony and I will help 
and pray for them.” 

Another minute and he was gone. Passing the 
gates without arousing suspicion, he was soon walk- 
ing rapidly towards the forest in which his friend 
Eavonino lay concealed. 

Meanwhile, Mamba hid himself behind some bags 
of grain in the outhouse until night-fall, when he 
sallied boldly forth and made his way to the house 
of a friend, who, although not a Christian, was too 
fond of him to refuse him shelter. 

This friend was a man of rank and ancient family. 
The soot hung in long strings from his roof-tree. 
He was one of “ the ancient soot ! ” 

The houses in the city are usually without ceiling 
— open to the ridge-pole, though there is sometimes 
an upper chamber occupying part of the space, which 
is reached by a ladder. There are ' no chimneys, 
therefore, and smoke from the wood and grass fires 
settles upon the rafters in great quantities inside. 
As it is never cleared away, the soot of course 
accumulates in course of time and hangs down 
in long pendants. So far from - considering this 
objectionable, the Malagasy have come to regard it 
with pride ; for, as each man owns his own house, 
the great accumulations of soot have come to be 
regarded as evidence of the family having^ occupied 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


237 


the dwelling froin ancient times. Hence the “ old 
families” are sometimes complimented by the 
sovereign, in. proclamations, by being styled “the 
ancient soot ! ” 

The particular -Ancient Soot who accorded hospi- 
tality that night to Mamba was much surprised, 
but very glad, to see him. “Have you arrived?” 
he asked, with a good deal of ceremonial gesticu- 
lation. 

“ I have, arrived,” answered Mamba. 

“ Safely and well, I hope.” 

“ Safely and well,” replied Mamba-^ceremonially 
of course, for in reality he had barely arrived with 
life, and certainly not with a sound skin. 

“ Come in, then,” said the Ancient Soot. “ And 
how are you ? I hope it is well with you. Behold, 
spread a mat for him, there, one of you. And is it 
well with you ? ” 

“Well indeed,” said Mamba once again,* falsely 
but ceremonially. 

“May you live to grow old!” resumed Soot. 
“And you have arrived safely? Come in. Where 
are you going ? ” 

“ I ’m going yonder — westward,” replied Mamba, 
with charming conventional vagueness, as he sat down 
on the mat. 

“ But it appears to me,” said Ancient Soot, passing 
from the region of compliment into that of fact, and 


238 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


looking somewhat closely at his friend, “ it seems to 
me that you have been- hurt.” 

Mamba now explained the exact state of the case, 
said that he required a good long rest, after that a 
hearty meal, then a lamba and a little money, for he 
had been despoiled of everything he had possessed 
by the furious crowd that so nearly killed him. 

His kind host was quite - ready to assist him 
in every way. In a few minutes he was sound 
asleep in a little chamber on the rafters, where 
he could rest without much risk of disturbance 
or discovery. 

All next day he remained in hiding. When it 
began to grow dusk his host walked with him 
through the streets and through the gates, thus 
rendering his passage less likely to be observed — for 
this particular Ancient Soot was well known in 
the town. 

“I will turn now. What go you to the coast 
for ? ” asked his friend, when about to part. 

“You would laugh at me if I told you,” said 
Mamba. 

“ Then tell me not,” returned his friend, with much 
delicacy of feeling, “ for I would be sorry to laugh at 
my friend.” 

Thus they parted. Ancient Soot returned to the 
home of his forefathers, and Mamba walked smartly 
along the road that leads to the seaport of Tamatave. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


239 


He spent that night in the residence of a friend ; 
the next in the hut of a government wood-cutter. 

Felling^ timber, as might be supposed, was, and still 
is, an important branch of industry in Madagascar. 
Forests of varied extent abound in different parts 
of the country, and an immense belt of forest of 
two or three days’ journey in width covers the in- 
terior of the island. These forests yield abundance 
of timber of different colour and texture, and of 
various degrees of hardness and durability. 

The wood-cutter, an old man, was busy splitting a 
large tree into planks by means of wedges when our 
traveller came up. This wasteful method of obtaining 
planks is still practised by some natives of the South 
Sea Islands. Formerly the Malagasy never thought 
of obtaining more than two planks out of a single 
tree, however large the tree might be. They merely 
split the tree down the middle, and then chopped 
away the outside of each half until it was reduced to 
the thickness required. The advent of the English 
missionaries, however, in the early part of this 
century, introduced light in regard to the, things of 
time as well as those of eternity— among other 
things, the pit-saw, which has taught the natives to 
“ gather up the fragments so that nothing be lost.” 
Thick planks are still however sometimes procured 
in the old fashion. 

The wood-cutter belonged to “The Seven Hundred” 


240 


THE FUGITIVES, OH 


which constituted the government corps. The- mem- 
bers of this corps felled timber for the use of 
the sovereign. They also dragged it to the capital, 
for oxen were never employed as beasts of burden or 
trained to the yoke. The whole population around 
the capital was liable to be employed on this timber- 
hauling work — and indeed on any government work 
— without remuneration and for any length of time ! 

After the usual exhaustive questions and replies 
as to health, etc., the old man conducted his visitor 
to his hut and set food before him. He was a 
solitary old fellow, but imbued with that virtue of 
hospitality which is inculcated so much among the 
people. 

Having replied to the wood-cutter’s first inquiry 
that he was “going yonder,” Mamba now saw fit 
to explain that “ yonder ” meant Tamatave. 

“ I want to see the great Missionary Ellis before 
he leaves the country.” 

The wood- cutter shook his head. “ You are too 
late, I fear. He passed down to the coast some weeks 
ago. The Queen has ordered him to depart. She is 
mad against all the praying people.” 

“ Are you one of the- praying people ? ” asked 
Mamba, with direct simplicity. 

“Yes, -and I know that you are,” answered the 
wood-cutter with a smile. 

“ How know you that ? ” 


THE TYEANT QUEEN OF MAUAGASCAE. 241 

“ Did I not see your lips move and your eyes look 
up when you approached me on arriving ? ” 

“True, I. prayed to Jesus,” said Mamba, “that I 
might be made use of to help you, or you to help me ” 

“ Then your prayer is doubly answered,” returned 
the old man, “ for we can each help the other. I 
can give you food and lodging. You can carry a 
message to Tamatave for me.” 

“ That is well. I shall be ■ glad to help you. 
What is your message ? ” 

“ It is a message to the missionary, Ellis, if you 
find him still there ; but even if he is gone you will 
find a praying one who can help me. Long have I 
prayed to the Lord that he would send one of his 
people here to take my message. Some came who 
looked like praying people, but I was afraid to ask 
them, and perhaps they were afraid to speak ; for, as 
you know, the Queen’s spies are abroad everywhere 
now, and if they find one whom they suspect of pray- 
ing to Jesus they seize him and drag him away to the 
ordeal of “ tangena ” — perhaps to torture and death. 
But now you have come, and my prayer is answered. 
‘ He is faithful who has promised.’ Look here.” 

The old man went to a corner of the hut, and 
returned with two soiled pieces of paper in his hand. 

Sitting down, he spread them carefully on his 
knees. Mamba recognised them at once as being 
two leaves out of a Malagasy Bible. Soiled,- worn. 


242 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


and slightly tom they were, from long and frequent 
use, but still readable. On one of them was the 
twenty-third Psalm, which the old wood-cutter began 
to read with slow and intense interest. 

“ Is it not grand,” he said, looking up at his young 
guest with a flush of joy in his care-worn old face, 
“ to think that after this weary wood-cutting is over 
we shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever ? 
No more toiling and hauling and splitting; above 
all, no more sin — nothing but praise and work for 
Him. And how hard I could work for Him ! ” 
Strange ! ” said Mamba, while the old man gazed 
at the two soiled leaves as if lost in meditation, 
“ strange that you should show this to me. I have 
come — but tell me,” he said, breaking off abruptly, 
what do you wish me to do ? ” 

“ This,” said the old man, pointing to the leaves, 
as though he had not heard the question, ‘‘is all 
that I possess of the Word of God. Ah ! well do I 
remember the time — many years past now — when I 
had the whole Bible. It was such a happy time 
then — when good King Kadama reigned, and the 
missionaries had schools and churches and meetings 
— when we prayed and sang to our heart’s content, 
and the Bible was printed, by the wonderful machines 
brought by the white men, in our own language, 
and we learned to read it. I was young then, and 
strong ; but I don’t think my heart was so warm as 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 243 

it is now ! Learning to read was- hard — hard ; but 
the Lord made me able, and when I got a Bible all 
to myself I thought there was nothing more to wish 
for. But the good Eadama died, and Eanavalona 
sits upon his -throne. You know she has burned 
many Bibles. Mine was found and burned, but she 
did not suspect me. I suppose I am too poor and 
worthless for her to care about ! Perhaps we did 
not think enough of the happy times when we had 
them ! A brother gave me these two leaves. They 
are all that I have left now.” 

Again the old man paused, and the younger for- 
bore to interrupt his thoughts. Presently he looked 
up, and continued, ‘‘When the missionary Ellis 
was on his way to the coast I met him and asked 
for a Bible. He had not a spare one to give me. 
He was very sorry, but said if I could find any one 
going to Tamatave who would carry a Bible back to 
me, he would send one. How you have come. Will 
you see the great missionary, or, if he is away, find 
one of the other men of God, and fetch me a Bible 1 ” 

There was a trembling earnestness in the old 
wood-cutter’s voice which showed how eager he was 
about the answer. Mamba readily promised, and 
then, after singing and praying together, these like- 
minded men retired to rest. 

Hext morning Mamba pursued his way eastward 
with rapid step, for he was anxious — yet with a glad 


244 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


heart, for he was hopeful. Many things of interest 
were presented to his gaze, but though he observed 
them well he did not suffer them to turn him aside 
for a moment from his purpose — which was to reach 
Tamatave in the shortest possible time, so as to meet 
and converse with the missionary before he should 
quit the island. 

Mamba was of an inquiring disposition. In 
ordinary circumstances he would have paused fre- 
quently to rest and meditate and pray. He would 
have turned aside to examine anything peculiar in 
his track, or even to watch the operations ‘Of a spider, 
or the gambols of a butterfly; but now he had 
“ business ” on hand, and set his face like a flint to 
transact it. 

The distance from the capital to Tamatave was 
nearly two hundred miles. There were dangers in 
the way. As we have said, the Queen’s spies were 
everywhere. Mamba’s wounds and bruises were 
still sufficiently obvious to attract ^ attention and 
rouse curiosity, if not suspicion. 

At one part of the journey he came upon some 
criminals in long chains which extended from their 
necks to their ankles. They were doing work on the 
roads under a guard. He would fain have conversed 
with these men, but, fearing to be questioned, turned 
aside into the shelter of a plantation and passed 
stealthily by. 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


245 


At another place he came to a ferry where, when 
he was about to enter the boat, two men stepped in 
before him whom he knew to be government officers 
and suspected to be spies. To have drawn suddenly 
back without apparent reason would have proclaimed 
a guilty -conscience. To go forward was to lay him- 
self open to question and .suspicion, for he had 
prepared no tissue of ' falsehoods for the occasion. 
There was no time for thought, only for- prayer. He 
committed his soul to God as he entered the boat, 
and then began to converse with the boatman in as 
easy and natural a tone of voice as he could assume. 
Having to face the boatman for this purpose en- 
abled him to turn his back upon the government 
officers. Scarce knowing what he said in the per- 
turbation of his spirit, his first question was rather 
absurd — 

“ Did you ever upset in crossing here ? ” he asked. 

“ Of course not ! ” replied the boatman, with a 
look of offended dignity. 

“ Ha ! then,” continued Mamba, who quickly 
recovered his- equanimity, “then you don’t know 
what it is to feel the teeth of a crocodile ? ” 

“ No, I don’t, and hope I never shall. Did you ?” 

“ Oh yes,” returned Mamba, “ I have felt them.” 

This was true ; for it happened that when he was 
a little boy, his mother had taken him down to the 
side of a river where she had some washing to do. 


246 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


and while she was not looking the urchin waded in, 
and a crocodile made a snap at him. Fortunately 
it failed to catch him, but its sharp teeth grazed his 
thigh, and left a mark which he never afterwards 
lost. 

“ Where did that happen ? ” asked the boatman, 
when the other had briefly stated the fact — for the 
passage was too short to permit of a story being 
told. 

“ In the Betsilio country.” 

“ That 's a long way off.” 

“ Yes, a long way. I left my old mother there. 
I ’m going to Tamatave to buy her a present. Now, 
my friend,” said Mamba, in a bantering tone, as the 
boat ran into the opposite bank, “ take care never to 
upset your boat, because crocodile teeth are wonder- 
fully sharp ! ” 

Mamba had the satisfaction of hearing the two 
offlcers chuckle at his little joke, and the boatman 
growl indignantly, as he leaped ashore and sedately 
strode away with a sigh of relief and thankfulness 
for having made what he deemed a narrow escape. 

The road to. Tamatave was by no means lonely, 
for, being the highway from the seaport to the 
capital, there was constant traffic both of travellers 
and of merchandise. There were also great droves 
of cattle making their way to the coast — for a large 
part of th6 wealth of the chiefs and nobles of the 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


247 


land consists of cattle, which are exported to the 
islands of -Bourbon and Mauritius, and disposed of 
to the shipping that come there for supplies. 

At last Mamba reached Tamatave, footsore, worn, 
and weary, and went straight to the house of a 
friend — a native of wealth and importance in the 
town, and one whom he knew to be a Christian. 
From him he learned, to his great joy, that Mr. 
Ellis had not yet left the place, and that he hoped 
to be permitted still to remain there for some time. 

It was dark when Mamba arrived, and rather 
late ; but he was too anxious to transact his “ busi- 
ness ” to wait till morning. Having ascertained 
where the missionary lived, he went there direct, 
and was ushered into his sitting-room. 

“ You wish to converse with me,” said Mr. Ellis, 
in a kind voice, and in the native tongue, as he 
placed a chair for his visitor — who, however, pre- 
ferred to stand. 

“Yes, I come from very far away — from the 
Betsilio country. My mother dwells there, and she 
is a praying one — a follower of Jesus. She loves 
the Word of God. I heard that you had brought 
the Bible to us from your own land — printed in our 
language, and so I have come to ask you for a Bible.” 

“ Have you come all that long journey to procure 
the Word of God?” asked the missionary, much 
interested. 


248 


THE FUGITIVES, OH 


Yes — that is my- business,” replied Mamba. 

Although Mr. Ellis liked the look of his visitor, 
and was strongly disposed to believe him, he had 
too much knowledge of the native character to place 
immediate confidence in him. Besides, the man 
being a stranger to him, and possibly one of the 
government spies, he feared to comply at once with 
his request, lest he should hasten his own banish- 
ment from the island. He replied, therefore, with 
caution. 

“ I cannot give you what you want to-night,” he 
said, “ but you may call on me again to-morrow, 
and I will speak with you.” 

This answer did not at all satisfy the eager heart 
of the poor fellow who had travelled so far and 
risked so much. His countenance showed the state 
of his feelings so strongly that the sympathetic 
missionary laid his hand kindly on his shoulder, 
bade him cheer up, and asked for his name as well 
as the name of some one in Tamatave who knew him. 

How then. Mamba,” he said, as they were about 
to part, “ don’t be cast down. Come here to see me 
to-morrow. Come early.” 

Comforted a little — more by the missionary’s 
look and tone than by his words,— ^Mamba took his 
departure. 

Meanwhile Mr. Ellis made inquiries, visited the 
friend to whom he had been referred, and found 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OE MADAGASCAR. 


249 


that not only was Mamba a good and true man, but 
that many of his family '' feared the Lord greatly.” 

When, therefore, his anxious visitor returned very 
early the following morning, he was ready for him. 

“ I am assured that you are a Christian, Mamba,” 
he said, “ as well as many of your kindred.” 

“ Yes, I love the Lord, and so do many of my 
kinsmen. But my family is large and scattered.” 

“ Have any of them got the Scriptures ? ” 

“ They have seen and heard them,” returned 
Mamba, “ but all that we possess are a few pages 
of the words of David. These belong to the whole 
family. We send them from one to another, and 
each, after keeping them for a time, passes them on, 
until they have been read by all. They are in my 
hands just now.” 

“ Have you .them with you?” asked the missionary. 

Mamba did not reply at once. He seemed un- 
willing to answer, but at last confessed that he had. 

“ Will you not show' them to me ? Surely you 
can trust mCj brother ! ” 

Mamba at length made up his mind. Thrusting 
his hand deep into his bosom, he drew a parcel 
from the folds of his lamba. This he slowly and 
carefully opened. One piece of cloth after another 
being unrolled, there appeared at length a few 
leaves of the Book of Psalms, which he cautiously 
handed to Mr. Ellis. 


250 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Though it was evident that the greatest care had 
been taken of that much-prized portion of Scripture, 
the soiled appearance of the leaves, worn edges, and 
other marks of frequent use — like the two leaves 
owned by the wood -cutter — showed how much they 
had been read. 

Even Mamba’s anxiety was allayed by the tender 
way in which the missionary handled his treasure, 
and the interest in it that he displayed. 

“Now, my friend,” said Mr. Ellis, still holding 
the tattered leaves, which Mamba seemed anxious 
to get back, “ if you will give me these few 
words of David, I will give you all his -words ; 
and I will give you, besides, the words of Jesus, 
and of John, and Paul and Peter. See — here they 
are.” 

Saying which, he handed to his visitor a copy of 
the New Testament and Psalms, in Malagasy, bound 
together. 

But Mamba did not leap at this gift as might 
have been expected. Either it seemed to him to be 
too good news to be true, or he was of a sceptical 
turn of mind. At all events he was not satisfied 
until he had sat down with the missionary and 
assured himself that every verse in his ragged 
treasure was contained in the presented volume, and 
a great deal more besides. Then he let the old 
treasure go, and joyfully accepted the new, which. 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


251 


he said, he was going to carry back to his mother 
who greatly longed for it. 

Before retiring with it, however, he mentioned his 
friend the wood-cutter, whom Mr. Ellis remembered 
well, and gladly gave another Testament to be taken 
back to him. Then, uttering expressions of fervent 
gratitude. Mamba left the house. 

In the course of that day the missionary inquired 
after his visitor, wishing to have further converse 
with him, but the Christians of Tamatave told him 
that Mamba had started off, almost immediately 
after quitting him, on his long return journey to 
Betsilio-land — doubtless “rejoicing as one that find- 
eth great spoil.” 

Dust was not allowed to accumulate on the Bibles 
of Madagascar in those days ! 


252 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


CHAPTEE XVIIL 

UNEXPECTED DELIVERANCE AND SEVERAL SURPRISES. 

At the time when Mamba started away on his 
expedition to Tamatave, Eavonino, as we have said, 
lay concealed in the forest, anxiously awaiting news 
from the town. At last the news came— Hhe two 
white men and the negro had got involved in a 
row, and were in prison ! 

So said Laihova on entering the cave and seating 
himself, weary, worn, and dispirited, on a ledge of 
rock beside his friend, to whom he related all that 
had befallen. 

“ Give not way to despondency,” said Eavonino, 
though he could not smooth the lines of- anxiety 
from his own brow. “ Does not the Lord reign ? 
Let the earth rejoice! No evil can befall unless 
permitted, and then it will surely work for good. 
Let us now consider what is to be done. But first, 
we will pray.” 

In the gloom of the cavern the two men went 
down on their knees, and, in very brief but earnest 
sentences, made known their wants to their Creator. 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


253 


“ It is useless to remain here idle/’ said the guide, 
as they resumed their seat on the ledge. 

“It is useless to go into the town,” returned 
Laihova. “ I am known now as one of those who 
aided. Mamba to escape.” 

“ But I am not known — at least not in my present 
guise,” said Eavonino. “Have you seen Eafar- 
avavy ?” 

“ Ho ; I tell you we had not been long in the town 
when this mischance befell.” 

“ Did not Mamba tell you why he has undertaken 
so long a journey ?” 

“ He did not, but I can guess,” answered Laihova, 
with a slight smile. “ The night before we left our 
friends in the cave in Betsilio-land I heard his 
mother urging him to accompany us to the capital 
and fetch her, if possible, a copy of the Word of God. 
She was joined in her persuasions by my sister 
Eamatoa, and you know he loves Eamatoa. I have 
no doubt that the two overcame his objections.” 

“ Do you know why he objected ?” asked Eavonino. 

“ He said that he was afraid to quit his mother 
and the others at a time when she might sorely need 
his protection, but other motives may have influ- 
enced him.” 

“ If he said it he meant it,” returned the guide, 
with some decision, “ for Mamba is open and true of 
heart. Ho doubt he had other motives, but these 


254 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


were secondary. God grant him success and safe 
deliverance from the hands of his enemies !” 

‘‘Amen !” responded Laihova. 

For some time the two friends sat there in silence, 
meditating as to what they should do in the circum- 
stances, for each felt that action of some sort was 
absolutely necessary. 

“ My friend,” said the guide at last, “ it seems to 
me that the Lord requires me at this time to go with 
my life in my hand, and give it to Him if need he. 
I have led these Englishmen into danger. I must 
do my best to succour them. Eafaravavy also is in 
great danger of losing her life — for the Queen’s fond- 
ness for her may not last through the opposition to 
her will which she is sure to meet with. At all 
risks I will enter the town and try to meet with 
Eafaravavy. But you, my friend, have no need to 
run so great a risk. The Englishmen have no claim 
upon you. My sister Ea-Euth, as well as the other 
banished ones, need your arm to defend them, all 
the more that Mamba has left for a time. I counsel 
you to return to the Betsilio country and leave me. 
There is no fear. I am in the hands of God.” 

For a few moments Laihova was silent. Then he 
spoke, slowly. “ No. I will not leave you. Are 
not our friends also in the hands of God ? For them, 
too, there is no fear. At present they are far from 
danger and in safe hiding, for even the outlaws — the 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 255 

robbers who infest the forests — understand some- 
thing of their case ; they have sympathy and will 
not molest them. Besides all that, Eavoninohitri- 
niony, is there not the Blood-covenant between you 
and me ? No, I will not leave you ! Where you go 
I will go, and if you die I will not live !” 

Seeing that his friend’s mind was made up, the 
guide made no further effort to influence him, and 
both men prepared themselves to go to the city. 

We return now to our friends Mark Breezy, John 
Hockins, and James Ginger, whom we left in the 
act of quitting their prison after being the means of 
obtaining some extension of mercy to an unfortunate 
sufferer whom they left behind them there. 

The Interpreter led them up several steep streets, 
and finally brought them to a courtyard in which 
were several small houses. Into one of these he 
ushered them, having previously pointed out to 
them that the building occupied a prominent posi- 
tion not far from the great palace of the Queen. 

“ So — if you out goes — git losted — know how to 
finds you’self agin ! ” 

“ Das so, — ” said Ebony. “ You ’s a dibber man.” 

“ Now you stop,” continued the Interpreter, paying 
no attention to the remark, “ for git some — some — 
vik — vik — vikles — eh ? ” 

‘‘ Vikles ! ” repeated Mark, with a puzzled air. 

« Yis — yis — vikles,” repeated the Interpreter, 


256 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


nodding his head, smiling, opening his mouth very 
wide, and pointing to it. 

“ P’r’aps he means victuals,” suggested Hocldns. 

“ Yis — yis — ^jus’ so — vittles,” cried the Interpreter, 
eagerly, ‘‘wait for vittles. Now — good-boy — by — 
by ! ” he added, with a broad grin at his blunder, as 
he left the room and shut the door. 

The three friends stood in the middle of the room 
for a few seconds in silence, looked at each other, 
and smiled dubiously. 

“ Let ’s see if we really are free to go and come as 
we choose,” said Mark, suddenly stepping to the door 
and trying it. Sure enough it was open. They 
passed out and went a short distance along the 
street, in which only a few natives were moving 
about. These, strange to say, instead of gazing at 
them in idle curiosity, seemed to regard them with 
some show of respect. 

“ Hold on, sir,” said Hockins, coming to an abrupt 
halt, “ you know that feller told us to wait for 
victuals, and I am uncommon disposed for them 
victuals ; for, to say truth, the trifle of rice they gave 
us this mornin’ was barely enough to satisfy an 
average rat. Better come back an’ do as we ’re bid. 
Obedience, you know, is the first law of natur’.” 

“Das w’at I says too. Wait for de wittles.” 

“ Agreed,” said Mark, turning on his heel. 

On reaching the house they found that two 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


257 


slaves had already begun preparations for the hoped- 
for feast. In a few minutes they had spread on the 
mat floor several dishes containing rice, mingled 
with bits of . chicken and other meats, the smell of 
which was exceedingly appetising. There was plain 
beef also, and fowls, and cooked vegetables, and 
fruits of various kinds, some of which were familiar 
to them, but others were quite new. 

Slaves being present, our three travellers did not 
give full and free expression to their feelings ; but it 
was evident from the way that Hockins smacked his 
Ups and Ebony rolled his tongue about, not to 
mention his eyes, and Mark pursed his mouth, that 
they were smitten with pleased anticipation, while 
the eyes of all three indicated considerable surprise ! 

There were no knives or forks — only horn spoons 
for the rice ; but as each man carried a large clasp- 
knife in his pocket, the loss was not felt. 

In any other circumstances the singularity and 
unexpected nature of this good treatment would 
have stirred up the fun of Ebony and the latent 
humour of Hockins, but they could not shake off the 
depression caused by the memory of what they had 
seen in the prison — the heavy iron coUars and the 
cruel binding chains. They tried to put the best 
face possible on it, but after a few faint saUies 
relapsed into silence. This, however, did not pre- 
vent their eating a sufficiently hearty meal. 

R 


258 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


“ There ’s no sayin’ when we may git the chance 
of another,” was Hockins’s apologetic remark as he 
helped himself to another fowl. 

“It is very mysterious that we should receive 
such treatment,” said Mark. “ I can only account 
for it by supposing that our friend Kav^lo is an 
officer of some power. If so, it was doubly fortunate 
that we had the opportunity of doing him a good 
turn.” 

“Now, you leave dem two drumsticks for me, 
’Ockins,” said Ebony, wiping his mouth with the 
back of ^his hand. “You’ll do yourself a injury if 
you &^t de whole ob ’im.” 

“Well, I must confess to bein’ surprised summat,” 
said the seaman, referring to Mark’s observation, not 
to Ebony’s. 

They were destined to receive some additional 
surprises before that day was over. The meal which 
they had been discussing was barely finished when 
their friend the Interpreter again entered and bade 
them follow him. 

“ Queen Kanavalona wish sees you,” he said. 

“ What ! all on us ? ” exclaimed Hockins, with 
elevated eyebrows. 

“ Yis— all.” 

“ Oh ! nonsense,” he cried, turning to Mark. “ It 
must be you, doctor, she wants to see. What can 
she want with a or’nary seaman like me ? ” 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


259 


“ Or a eic^mor’nary nigger like me?” said Ebony, 
with a look of extreme contempt. 

“ You kin stop in house if you choose,” remarked 
the Interpreter, with a quiet grin, “ but you heads be 
splitted if you do.” 

“ Then I think I ’ll go,” said Hockins, quietly. 

“ Me too,” remarked the negro. 

Accordingly they all went — with a slight qualm, 
however, for they felt slightly doubtful whether, 
under existing circumstances, they might not after 
all be going to. execution. 

The royal palaces, to which they were led, occupy 
a very conspicuous and commanding position on the 
summit of the hill, and stand at an elevation of more 
than 500 feet above the surrounding plains. They 
are conspicuously larger than any of the other houses 
in the city, are grouped together in a large courtyard, 
and number about a dozen houses — large and small. 
The chief palace, named Manj^ka-Mi^dana, is about 
100 feet long by 80 broad, and 120 high to the 
apex of its lofty roof. A wide verandah, in three 
stories, runs all round it. All is painted white 
except the balustrade. The building next in size to 
this is the Silver House. On the eastern side of the 
courtyard are the palace gardens, and around it 
stand a number of houses which are the residences 
of the chief officers of the army, the Secretaries of 
State, and other members of the Government. 


260 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


On reaching the palace gate two young officers 
approached to receive the visitors. They were 
dressed in splendid European regimentals, much 
bedecked with gold-lace, tight-fitting trousers, Well- 
ington hoots, sash, sword, and cocked hat, all 
complete! One of these, to their surprise, spoke 
English remarkably well. 

“ I learned it from the missionaries when I was 
leetle boy,” he explained to Mark, as he conducted 
the visitors through the archway and across the 
spacious courtyard into the palace. In the second 
story of the verandah the Queen was seen seated 
beneath that emblem of royalty the scarlet umbrella, 
with her Court around her. Before entering the 
court the visitors had removed their hats. They 
were now directed to make a profound reverence as 
they passed, and proceeded along the side of the 
building to the further end. 

A line of native troops was drawn up across the 
court, but these wore no uniform, only the lamba 
wound round their waists, and white cross-belts on 
their naked bodies. They were armed with the old 
flint-lock muskets and bayonets of the period. 

Their conductor, who was an Under-Secretary of 
State, led them by a dark narrow stair to the balcony 
where the Queen sat, and in a few moments they 
found themselves in the presence of the cruol Eana- 
valona, of whom they had heard so much. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 261 

She did not look cruel at that time, however. 
She was dressed in a rich satin gown, over which 
she wore the royal scarlet lamba, and jewels of 
various kinds ornamented her person. She was 
seated in a chair raised two or three steps above the 
floor, with her ladies on one side and her gentlemen 
on the other. The former, among whom were some 
really good-looking brunettes, had all adopted the 
English fashion of dress, with parts of native costume 
retained. Some wore head-dresses of gorgeous 
colouring, composed of ribbons, flowers, and feathers 
in great, profusion, but as no head-dress, however 
strongly marked by barbaric splendour, can excel 
the amazing feminine crests in present use among 
the civilised, we refrain from attempting description ! 
Most of the men also wore European costume, or 
portions thereof, some being clad in suits of black 
broadcloth. 

The amount of ceremony displayed on all hands 
at Court seemed to have infected our three adven- 
turers, for, when led before the Queen, they ap- 
proached with several profound bows, to which 
Hockins added the additional grace of a pull at his 
forelock. In this he was imitated by Ebony. 

For some moments Eanavalona eyed her visitors — 
perhaps we should say her captives— sternly enough, 
but there was also a slight touch of softness in her 
expression, from which Mark drew much comfort. 


262 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


The courtiers gazed at them with evident interest, 
but in profound silence, for as yet the Queen had 
given no indication as to whether the new-comers 
were to be treated as friends or spies, and the recent 
banishment of the missionaries, and harsh treatment 
of Europeans by the Queen, left their minds in some 
doubt on the point. 

Turning to the Secretary who had introduced the 
party, Kanavalona spoke to him a few words. 
When she had finished, the Secretary turned to 
Mark, whom he at once recognised as the chief and 
spokesman of the trio. 

“ Queen Eanavalona bid me ask where you comes 
from,” he said. 

To which Mark replied that they came from 
England, that they were all English subjects, though 
one was an African by descent. 

“I have heard,” continued the Queen, through 
her interpreter, “ that you have been • shipwrecked, 
that one of your number is a Maker of Medicine, 
and that you helped one of my people— even saved 
his life— soon after your arrival in my country. Is 
that so ? ” 

Mark explained that they had not been ship- 
wrecked, but had been left on shore, and obliged to 
fly from the natives of the coast ; that he was indeed 
a maker of medicine, though his training had not 
been quite completed when he left England, and 


THE TYEANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 263 

that he had rendered a trifling service to an un- 
fortunate man who had slipped in climbing a cliff, 
but he could hardly be said to have saved the man’s 
life. 

While he was speaking, Mark observed that his 
friend Eav^lo stood close to the Queen’s chair, in 
front of a group of ofiflcers, from which circumstance 
he concluded that he must be a man of some note, 
and that it was he who had procured the deliverance 
of himself and his friends from prison. 

“Tell the young Maker of Medicine,” said the 
Queen, in a loud voice, so that all the Court might 
hear, “that Europeans have behaved very ill here of 
late, so ill that they had to be banished from my 
country ; for I, Kanavalona, permit no one, whether 
his face be black, brown, or white, to meddle with 
my government. They fancied, I suppose, that 
because I am a woman I am weak and ignorant, 
and unable to rule ! They have now found their 
mistake, and Christians shall not again be permitted 
to dwell in my country. But I am Eanavalona, 
and I will do what I please. If I choose to make 
an exception I will do it. If any one thinks to 
oppose my will he shall die. The man whose life 
was saved by this young Maker of Medicine is my 
son Eakota — my beloved son. Is it not so ? ” 

The Queen looked round as she- spoke, and the 
man whom we have hitherto styled EavMo bent 


264 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


his head and replied, “ It is so,” whereupon there 
were murmurs of surprise and approval among the 
courtiers. 

" Now,” continued the Queen, “ as I am grateful, 
and as I want a physician at Court just now, I 
appoint this young Maker of Medicine to that 
post, and I appoint his black companion to be his 
servant. Do you all hear that 1 ” 

All the courtiers made murmurs of assent. 

“Tell them aU that. Secretary,” said the Queen. 

Mark Breezy and his friends had considerable 
difficulty in concealing their astonishment when 
“ all that ” was explained to them, but they had the 
presence of mind to acknowledge the information 
with a profound obeisance. At the same time 
Mark explained, with much modesty, that he was 
not entitled to aspire to or to accept so high and 
honourable a position, as he had not yet obtained 
the standing which entitled him to practise in his 
own country. 

“Tell him,” said the Queen, sternly, “that I, 
Eanavalona, have nothing to do with the customs 
of England, and have no regard for them. If he 
does not accept what I offer, instant banishment — 
perhaps worse — will be his portion ! ” 

“ Oh ! massa, accep’ him at once ! ” murmured 
Ebony in an undertone, and in much anxiety. 

Mark took his advice, and agreed to^ become 


THE TYEANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 265 

Physician to the Court of the Queen of Madagascar, 
without stipulating either as to salary or privi- 
leges ! 

“ I am also told,” said the Queen, with a smile of 
condescension to her physician, “ that your English 
companion is full of music, and performs on a 
wonderful little instrument. I have a good band, 
which was trained by your countrymen, but they 
have no such little instrument. Let the Man of the 
Sea perform.” 

On this being translated Mark looked at the Man 
of the Sea, and could with difficulty restrain a burst 
of laughter at the expression of his countenance. 

“ What ! ” exclaimed Hockins, me play my 
whistle afore this here Court ? Unpossible ! ” 

“ You 11 have to try,” said Mark, “ unless you wish 
for instant banishment — or something worse ! ” 

“ Oh ! ’Ockins, blaze away at once / ” murmured 
Ebony, with renewed anxiety, for the “something 
worse” was to him suggestive of imprisonment, 
torture,, and death ! 

Thus pressed, the seaman put his hand into the 
inner pocket of his jacket and drew forth his 
cherished flageolet. In a few minutes the Queen and 
all her courtiers were enthralled by the music. It was 
not only the novelty and bird-like sweetness of the 
instrument itself that charmed, but also the fine taste 
and wonderful touch of the sailor. The warbling 


266 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


notes seemed to trill, rise and fall, and float about on 
the atmosphere, as it were, like fairy music, filling 
the air with melody and the soul with delight. 

“ Good ! let the Man of the Sea be also cared for. 
Give them quarters in the palace, and see that they 
all attend upon us in the garden to-morrow.” 

So saying, the Queen arose, swept into the palace, 
and left her courtiers to follow. 

Immediately Prince Eakota came forward and 
shook hands with Mark. 

“ So then, your Highness,” said the latter, “ we are 
indebted to you for all this kindness.” 

“ It is only one small ting,” returned the Prince 
in broken Enghsh. "‘Am I not due to you my 
life ? Come, I go show you your house.” 

On the way, and after entering the house which 
was appropriated to their use, Mark learned from 
the Prince that their approach to the capital had 
been discovered and announced by spies long before 
their arrival ; that it was they who had discovered 
and revealed to the Queen Hockins's wonderful 
powers with the “little tube.” Also that it was 
well known who had guided them through the 
country, and that Eavoninohitriniony was being 
diligently sought for in his hiding-places. 

This last piece of information filled the three 
friends with deep concern and anxiety. 

“He has been so very kind to us,” said Mark, 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 267 

“ and I know is one of the most generously disposed 
and law-respecting subjects of her Majesty.” 

“That not help for him if he tumbles into the 
hands of my mother/’ said the Prince, sadly. “ He 
is a Christian. He has run to the forest, and has 
made others to fly.” 

“ But you have much power with the Queen,” 
pleaded Mark, “ could you not induce her to pardon 
him ? ” 

“ Yes — if he will give up Christianity — if not do 
that — no ! ” 

“ That he will never do,” said Mark, firmly. “ I 
know him well. He will rather die than deny 
Christ.” 

“He is likely to die then,” returned Kakota, 
“ for my mother is fixed to root up the religion of 
Jesus from the land.” 

“ But surely you don’t agree with her,” broke in 
Hockins at this point. 

“ Ho, I not agree,” said the Prince. “ But I can 
not command the Queen. Some time it very hard to 
move her even a leetle. My only power with her 
is love.” 

“ Das de greatest power in de wurld ! ” chimed in 
Ebony. 

“It is,” returned the Prince, “and you be very 
sure I use the power much as I can for save your 
friend.” 


268 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


CHAPTEE XIX. 

A MALAGASY GARDEN PARTY— THE CLOUD GROWS BLACKER. 

The garden party is by no means a novelty of 
the present day. In the early part of this century — 
if not much earlier — Malagasy sovereigns seem to 
have been wont to treat their Court and friends to 
this species of entertainment. 

The order which the Queen had given that her 
European visitors should attend upon her in the 
garden, was neither more nor less than an invitation 
to a garden party, or pic-nic, to be held the follow- 
ing day at one of her surburban retreats named 
Anosy, about half-a-mile from the city. Accordingly, 
early in the morning — for the Malagasy are early 
risers — their friend the Interpreter came to conduct 
them to the spot, with a gift of a striped lamba for 
each of the white men. 

Why she not send one for me ? ” demanded 
Ebony, pouting — and Ebony’s pout was something 
to take note of ! 

‘‘ ’Cause you ’re black and don’t need no clothing,” 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 269 

said Hockins, awkwardly attempting to put the 
lamba on his broad shoulders. 

“ Humph ! if she knowed what splendid lobscouse 
an’ plum duff I kin make,” returned the negro, 
“Eanny Valony would hab sent me a silk lamba 
an’ made me her chief cook. Hows’ever, dere ’s a 
good time cornin’. I s’pose I aint to go to the 
party ? ” 

Yis — you muss go. All of you got to go. Kill 
— deaded — if you don’t go.” 

“I’m your man, den, for I don’t want to be 
deaded yet a while; moreover, I want to see de 
fun,” returned the negro. 

Meanwhile the Interpreter showed them how 
to put on the lamba — with one end of it thrown 
over the left shoulder, like the Spaniard’s cloak, 
— and then conducted them to the palace, where 
they found three palanquins — or chairs supported 
by two staves — awaiting them. Getting into them 
they set off, preceded by the Interpreter in a 
similar conveyance. Ebony and his bearers brought 
up the rear. 

The Queen and her Court had already started 
some time. Our party soon reached the scene of 
festivities, at the south-east of the city. It was a 
charming spot, having large gardens laid out in the 
European style, with goodly trees overshadowing the 
pleasure-house of Anosy, and an extensive lake. 


270 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


The house was on an island in the lake, and was 
reached by a narrow causeway. 

At the entrance to the place two enormous letters, 
“E. E.,” formed in grass borders that surrounded 
flower-beds, indicated that Eadama Eex, the first 
king of that name, had originated those gardens. 
And they did him- credit; for he had made great 
exertions to accumulate there specimens of the most 
useful and remarkable trees and plants in the 
country — especially those that were of service in 
materia medica. Some immense camphor- wood trees 
were among the most conspicuous, and there were 
several specimens of a graceful fan-palm, as well as 
clumps of the long-leaved rofia. The lake was 
covered in part with a profusion of purple water- 
lilies, and was well stocked with gold-fish. In the 
garden and on the upper part of the grounds were 
luxuriant vines, besides figs, mangoes, pine-apples, 
and coffee-plants. 

Here, to the strains of an excellent band, hundreds 
of people, in white and striped lambas, and various 
gay costumes, were walking about enjoying them- 
selves, conversing with animation, or consuming 
rice, chickens, and beef, on mats beneath the mango 
and fig-trees. Elsewhere the more youthful and 
lively among them engaged in various games, such 
as racing, jumping, etc. 

“ Come,’’ said their friend of the previous day — 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OE MADAGASCAR. 


271 


the Secretary — ^to Mark and his comrades, breaking 
in on their contemplation of the animated scene, 
“ the Queen wishes to see you.” 

Her Majesty, who was dressed in a long robe of 
muslin, embroidered with gold, sat near the door of 
the garden-house, surrounded by her ladies, who all 
wore the simple but graceful native dress. A guard 
of soldiers stood near at hand. 

The Queen merely wished to ask a few ceremonial 
questions of her visitors. While she was engaged 
with Hockins and the Secretary, Mark ventured to 
glance at the ladies of the Court, among whom he 
observed one who made a deep impression on him. 
She wore, if possible, a simpler dress than any of 
her companions, and no ornaments whatever. Her 
features were well formed, and her rather pensive 
countenance was very beautiful. When they were 
retiring from the presence of the Queen, Mark could 
not resist the temptation to ask the Secretary who 
she was. 

That,” said he, " is our self-willed little Christian, 
Eafaravavy.” 

“She does not look very self-willed,” returned 
Mark. 

“True, and she is not really so — only in the 
matter of religion. I fear we shall lose her ere long, 
for she minds not the Queen, and no one who defies 
Eanavalona lives long. But come, let us sit down 


272 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


under this mango tree and eat. You must be 
hungry.” 

He led them as he spoke to a sequestered spot 
near a coppice which partially guarded them from 
public gaze on three sides, and on the fourth side 
afforded them a charming view of the gardens, the 
gay assemblage, and the country beyond. 

At first both Hockins and Ebony hesitated to sit 
down to breakfast with so distinguished u person as 
an Under-Secretary of State. 

“We aint used, you see, doctor,” observed the sea- 
man in a low tone, “ to feed wi’ the quality.” 

“ Das so, massa,”’ chimed in Ebony in the same 
tone ; “ wittles nebber taste so pleasant in de cabin 
as in de fo’c’s’l.” 

“ Don’t object to anything'' replied Mark, quickly, 
“just do as I do.” 

“Hall right, massa. Neck or nuffin — I’m your 
man ! ” 

As for the seaman, he obeyed without reply, and 
in a few minutes they were busy with the Secretary 
over drumsticks and rice. 

The free-and-easy sociability of that individual 
would have surprised them less if they had known 
that he had been specially commissioned by the 
Queen to look well after them, and gather all the 
information they might possess about the fugitive 
Christians who were hiding in the forests. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 273 

Fortunately our young student was quick-witted. 
He soon perceived the drift of the Secretary’s talk, 
and, without appearing to evade his questions, gave 
him such replies as conveyed to him no information 
whatever of the kind he desired. At the same time, 
he took occasion, when the Secretary’s attention was 
attracted by something that was going on, to lay his 
finger on his lips and bestow a look of solemn 
warning on his comrades, the effect of which on their 
intelligent minds was to make the negro intensely 
stupid and the seaman miraculously ignorant ! 

Now, while our friends are thus pleasantly en- 
gaged, we will return to Kafaravavy, whom we left 
standing among the Queen’s ladies. 

Of all the ladies there that little brunette was 
not only the best-looking, the sweetest, the most 
innocent, but also, strange to say, the funniest ; by 
which we do not mean to say that she tried to be 
funny — far from it, but that she had the keenest 
perception of the ludicrous, and as her perceptions 
were quick, and little jokes usually struck her, in 
vulgar parlance, ‘‘ all of a heap,” her little explosions 
of laughter were instantaneous and violently short- 
lived. Yet her natural temperament was grave and 
earnest, and her habitual expression, as we have 
said, pensive. 

Indeed it would have been strange had it been 
otherwise, considering the times in which she lived, 
s 


274 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


the many friends whom she had seen sacrificed by 
the violence of her royal mistress, and the terrible 
uncertainty that hung over her own fate. 

After a time the Queen dismissed some of her 
attendants to ramble about the grounds, — among 
them Eafaravavy, who sauntered down one of the 
side-walks by herself. 

She had not gone far when, on reaching a turn of 
the road where a small thicket of shrubs concealed 
her from the more public part of the garden, she 
heard her own name pronounced. 

Stopping abruptly, she listened with intense 
anxiety expressed on her countenance. 

“ Eafaravavy !” repeated the voice again, fear 
not !” Next moment the bushes were turned aside, 
a man stepped on the path, and Eavonino stood 
before her ! He seized her in his arms, and printed 
a fervent kiss upon her lips. 

“ Oh ! Samuel,” she said, using her lover’s 
Christian name, which she naturally preferred, and 
speaking, of course, in her native tongue, why did 
you come here ? You know that it is death if you 
are caught.” 

“I would risk more than death, if that were 
possible, to see you, Eafaravavy. But I come to 
ask you to fly with me. Our dear Lord’s counsel is 
that when we are persecuted we should flee to a 
place of safety.” 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 275 

Impossible !” said the girl, in a tone of decision 
that made her lover’s heart sink. “ Besides, I am 
not persecuted. The Queen is fond of me, and bears 
much.” 

Fond of you she may well be, my loved one, she 
cannot help that ; but she is fonder of herself, and 
the moment you go beyond a certain point she will 
order you out to execution. Has she not done the 
same sort of thing before ? She is capable of doing 
it again. She will surely do it again. Come, 
dearest! let us fly now — this moment. I have a 
lamba here which will conceal most of your dress. 
Arrangements are made with some of our friends in 
the Lord to aid us. Bearers are ready. I will guide 
you to the caverns in the forest where my sister 
Ea-Enth is longing to receive you, where many of 
your old friends are dwelling in security, where we 
worship God, and pray to Jesus, and sing the sweet 
old hymns in peace. Come, dear one ! will you not 
come?” 

It was evident that the intense earnestness of 
the lover was exerting powerful influence over the 
affectionate maiden, for she began to waver. 

'"Oh! do not persuade me thus!” she said. ‘^I 
know not what God would have me do. But the 
Queen has been very kind to me in spite of my 
religion, and sometimes I have thought that she 
listens to my pleading. Perhaps God may use me 


276 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


as the means of bringing her to Jesus. Think what 
that would be — not only to her own soul but to the 
multitudes who are now suffering in — ” 

At that moment footsteps were heard on the 
gravel walk. They were evidently approaching the 
spot where the lovers stood. Before Eavonino 
could make up his mind to drag her into the 
thicket by main force, Eafaravavy had disengaged 
herself and bounded away. At the same moment 
Eavonino glided into the shrubbery and disappeared. 

A few seconds later and Mark Breezy stood on 
the spot they had quitted. He was alone. 

“ Strange !” he muttered to himself, “ I am almost 
certain that she took this path, and I fancy that the 
man's voice sounded like that of Eavonino. Nothing 
more natural than that he should ferret her out. 
Yet it seems to have been imagination.” 

“It was not imagination,” said a rather stern 
voice at Mark’s elbow. He turned quickly. 

“ I was sure of it !” he exclaimed. 

“ If you were so sure of it,” said the guide, with 
a touch of bitterness, “why did you interrupt us 
and scare the maiden away ?” 

“ You do me wrong in your thoughts,” replied the 
student, flushing. “ One of the Queen’s secretaries 
is even at this moment coming along this track in 
company with Hockins and Ebony. While seated 
at breakfast I saw Eafaravavy walk in this direc- 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 277 

.tion, and somehow I took it into my head that you 
would surely meet her here — I know not why I 
thought so, unless it be that in like circumstances 
I myself would have acted the same part — so I 
hastened on in advance to warn you. Hush! do 
you not hear their steps ?” 

“ Forgive me,” said Eavonino, extending his hand, 
and grasping that of his friend. Then, speaking 
low and hurriedly, “ You are in favour at Court. 
Will you befriend her?” 

“ I will. You may depend on me !” 

There was no time for more. Already it was 
almost too late, for the guide had barely disappeared 
in the thicket when his comrades and the Secretary 
appeared. 

Hallo ! doctor,” exclaimed Hockins, was ye 
arter a pretty girl that you bolted so, all of a 
sudden ? ” 

“ Yes, I was,” answered Mark promptly. “ I saw 
one of the Queen’s ladies come in this direction and 
ran after her ! I suppose there is no harm in that, 
Mr. Secretary? You don’t forbid men to look at 
your women, do you, like the Arabs ? ” 

“Certainly not,” replied the Secretary, with a 
slight smile and a ceremonial bow. 

“ Come, then, let us follow the track, we may yet 
meet her.” 

So saying, Mark led the way along the path where 


278 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Eafaravavy had vanished, not for the purpose o£ 
overtaking her, but in order to give his friend time 
and opportunity to get out of the thicket un- 
perceived. 

On the evening of that same day, after the garden 
festivities were over, Queen Eanavalona sat in her 
palace with a frown on her brow, for, despite her 
determination and frequent commands, the Christians 
in the town still persisted in holding secret meet- 
ings for worship. Those who knew her moods saw 
plainly that she was fanning the smouldering fires 
of anger, and that it needed but a small matter to 
cause them to burst out into a devouring flame. 

While she was in this critical frame of mind an 
influential courtier appeared before her. He seemed 
to be greatly excited. 

Madam,” he said, “ I request that a bright and 
sharp spear may be brought to me ! ” 

Somewhat surprised at the nature of the request, 
the Queen asked to know the reason. 

“ Madam,” continued the courtier, “ I cannot but 
see with grief the dishonour that is done, not only 
to our idols but to the memory of your own pre- 
decessors, by the doctrines of these foreigners. Our 
ancient customs are being destroyed and the new 
faith is spreading on every hand. All this is but 
preparatory to the invasion of Madagascar by 
Europeans : and, as I would rather die than see my 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 279 

Queen and country so disgraced, T ask for a spear to 
pierce my heart before the evil day arrives.” 

This speech had a powerful effect on the Queen. 
She began to regard Christianity as not merely a 
sacrilege, but a political offence ; for were not her 
people learning to despise the idols of their fore- 
fathers and to cease praying to the royal ancestors 
by whom the kingdom had been established, and 
under whom the country had become great and 
powerful ? Might they not eventually despise her- 
self and learn to treat their living sovereign with 
contempt ? 

For some time Kanavalona remained silent, lean- 
ing her forehead on her hand. Suddenly she looked 
up with a flushed countenance. 

"It is true — all true,” she said. “When I was 
carried along in procession to-day did I not hear 
these Christians singing one of their hated hymns ? 
They will not cease till some of them lose their 
heads. Have you got with you the formal accusa- 
tion that was made before my chief judge yesterday?” 

“ Ho, madam, I have not.” 

“ Go. Fetch it and read it to me.” 

The courtier bowed, left the apartment, and 
speedily returned with a paper containing the 
accusations referred to. Unfolding it, he read as 
follows : — 

“ 1st. The Christians are accused of despising the 


280 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


idols. 2d. They are always praying. 3d. They 
will not swear, but merely affirm. 4th. Their women 
are chaste. 5th. They are of one mind with regard 
to their religion. 6th. They observe the Sabbath 
as a sacred day.” 

Strange to say, this catalogue of so-called accusa- 
tions deeply affected the queen with grief and rage. 

“I swear,” she said, with flashing eyes and 
clenched hands, “ that I will root out this religion 
of the Europeans if it should cost the life of every 
Christian in the land ! Go. Leave me ! ” 

For a fortnight subsequent to this the palace and 
Court appeared as if in mourning for some public 
calamity. No band played; no amusements were 
allowed, and a dread of impending evil seemed to 
weigh upon the spirits of all classes. During this 
time, also, measures were taken to effect the final 
destruction, as far as possible, of all that had been 
done in the country by the teaching of the mission- 
aries and their converts. 

At last the storm burst. A Kabary, or immense 
general assembly of the nation, was called by 
proclamation at the capital. The people were only 
too well aware of what this signified to doubt that 
the Queen was thoroughly in earnest and in one of 
her worst moods. With trembling hearts they 
hastened to obey the summons. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 281 


CHAPTEE XX. 

A GREAT KABIrY IS HELD, FOLLOWED BY DREADFUL MARTYRDOMS. 

Xo rank or age was exempt from attendance at 
the great assembly. Soldiers were sent about the 
city and suburbs to drive the people towards the 
place of assembly near the palace, and the living 
stream continued to pour onwards until many thou- 
sand souls were gathered together at Im^hamksina. 

Here a body of troops fifteen thousand strong 
was posted, and in the earlier part of the day the 
cannon along the heights of the city thundered out 
a salute to inspire the people with awe and respect 
for the royal authority. The highest civil and 
military officers were there in their varied and gay 
trappings, but Eanavalona herself did not appear in 
person. Her message was conveyed to the people 
by one of the chief officers of state. It was inter- 
spersed here and there with the various titles of the 
Queen, and was to the following effect : — 

I announce to you, oh ye people ! I am not a 
sovereign that deceives. I therefore tell to you 
what I purpose to do, and how I shall govern you. 


282 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Who, then, is that man who would change the 
customs of our ancestors and the twelve sovereigns 
in this country ? To whom has the kingdom been 
left by inheritance, by Imp6in, Im4rina, and Eadama, 
except to me? If any, then, would change the 
customs of our ancestors, I abhor that, saith 
Eabodon-Andrian-Impoin-Im^rina.” 

After a good deal more to much the same effect, 
the message went on to say : — 

“ As to baptisms, societies, places of worship distinct 
from schools, and the observance of the Sabbath, how 
many rulers are there in the land ? Is it not I alone 
that rule ? These things are not to be done ; they 
are unlawful in my country, saith Eanav^lo-manj^ka, 
for they are not the customs of our ancestors ; and I 
do not change their customs, excepting as to things 
alone that improve my country. And then, in your 
worship, you say ‘ Believe ! ’ ‘ Follow the Christian 

customs ! ’ and thus you change the customs of the 
ancestors, for you do not invoke all that is sacred in 
heaven and earth, and all that is sacred in the 
twelve sovereigns and the idols. And is not this 
changing the customs of the ancestors ? I detest 
that ; and I tell you plainly that such things shall 
not be done in my country, saith Eanav^lo- 
manj^ka. 

“ Now I decree that all Bibles and books of the 
new religion shall be delivered up to be ^destroyed. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OE MADAGASCAR, 283 

that all who are guilty shall come in classes, 
according to the nature of their offences, and accuse 
themselves of having been baptized, of being 
members of the church, of having taught slaves to 
read — all shall come to the officers and confess ; but 
those who conceal their offence and are accused by 
others shall be subjected to the ordeal of the 
tangena, and those who resist my commands shall 
die, saith EanavMo-manj^ka ” 

This message was no idle threat. The people were 
well aware of that, and the city was filled with 
weeping and consternation. 

It was while things were in this state that 
Mamba arrived at Antananarivo with his precious 
New Testament and Psalms in the folds of his 
lamba. Although well aware of what had taken 
place, he recklessly visited his friends in the city. 
Prom them he learned more particulars, and saw, 
when too late, that it would be impossible for him 
now to pass out of the gates with the Testament on 
his person, as the guards had been cautioned to 
search every one whom they had the slightest reason 
to suspect. 

Hearing of the sudden exaltation of his English 
friends, he formed the wise resolution to place his 
treasure in their hands. 

Boldness is often successful where timidity would 
fail. Without hesitation, or even consultation with 


284 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


his friends, Mamba went straight to the palace 
and demanded permission to visit the Maker of 
Medicine. He was allowed to pass and conducted 
by an official to the quarters of Mark Breezy, who 
was seated with Hockins and Ebony at the time. 

Great was their surprise at seeing their friend. 

“Why, Mamba! I thought you had gone to 
Tamatave ? ” said Mark, shaking hands heartily with 
him. 

“ Yis — ^yis — I goed,” said Mamba, and then 
endeavoured to tell something of his doings in 
English ; but his knowledge of that language was so 
very imperfect that they could make nothing of it. 
They understood him, however, when he cautiously 
and lovingly drew the Testament from its hiding- 
place and gave it into Mark’s hands. 

“ What am I to do with it, my poor friend ? ” 
said Mark. “ I know that you have no chance of 
retaining it, after the decree that has just been 
passed.” 

“ Keep ’im — keep — for me,” said Mamba, anxiously. 

“ I will do so, if I can, but it may not be possible,” 
answered Mark. 

Yis, keep — safe. Got ’im for me mudder.” 

“You’re a brick,” cried Ebony, enthusiastically 
grasping the man’s hand, for he had a great love for 
his own mother, and experienced a gush of sympathy. 

At that moment there was a loud knocking at 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 285 

the door, and Mark had barely time to slip the 
Testament into his coat pocket when Hater-of-lies 
entered with his silver spear and attendants. Seizing 
hold of poor Mamba, without uttering a word they 
led him away. 

Hockins instantly followed, and Ebony was about 
to do the same when Mark laid his hand on his 
shoulder and checked him. 

What would you do. Ebony ? ” 

Look arter ’Ockins, massa.” 

“ Hockins is well able to look after himself. Ho 
doubt he has gone to see where they take Mamba 
to. One pair of eyes is enough for that. Your 
company would only trouble him.” 

A few minutes later the seaman returned with 
the information that the unfortunate man had been 
cast into the prison from which they had been so 
recently released. 

At this time the Christians in the island possessed 
numerous entire copies of the Scriptures, besides a 
large number of Testaments and Psalms, and books 
of a religious character, which, having been secreted, 
had escaped the destruction of previous persecutions. 
Some of these were now given up and destroyed. 
Many of the more tiinid among the natives came 
forward, as commanded, and accused themselves, 
thus escaping punishment; but there were others 
who would neither give up their Bibles nor accuse 


286 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


themselves. Some of these were accused by 
their slaves, others by their so-called friends and 
kindred — in some cases falsely. 

Next day the Prime Minister came to the Queen 
and reported that one dady, named ^Easalama, who 
had not accused herself, had been accused by some 
of her slaves o^ attending- religious meetings. 

Is it possible,” exclaimed the Queen, ‘‘ that there 
is one so daring as to defy me ? Go, let her be' put 
to death at once ! ” 

The intercession of friends of the accused pro- 
duced no effect on the Queen, and even the plead- 
ing of Prince Eakota failed, in this instance, to do 
more than delay the execution for a few days. 

Meanwhile Easalama was cast into prison and 
loaded with chains. 

''Is it not strange,” she said to her jailors, "that 
I should be put in chains, and some of my friends 
should be sent to perpetual slavery and some killed, 
though we have done no evil? We have neither 
excited rebellion, nor stolen the property of any, 
nor spoken ill of any — yet we are treated thus, and 
our property is confiscated. It will be wise if the 
persecutors think what they do, lest they bring on 
themselves the wrath of God’. But I do not fear. 
When Hater-of-lies came to my house I^rejoiced 
that I was -< 50 unted- worthy ta suffer affliction for 
believing- in Jesus.” 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 287 

When this speech was reported to the judges, 
Easalama was^ ordered to be ^ put inta heavier irons 
and severely, beaten. This cruel order was carried 
out ; and after her tender limbs had been additionally 
weighted, her delicate skin was lacerated with terrible 
stripes. Yet her fortitude' never forsook her. Nay 
more — through the grace bestowed on her she 
actually sang hymns in the- midst of her torment ! 
Sometimes, indeed, her physical- strength, failed for 
a brief space. At other times the -song of triumph 
blended with a wail of agony, but she always 
recovered to renew the hymn of praise. 

Her tormentors were confounded. This was 
something quite beyond their understanding, and 
their only solution of the mystery, was that she 
must be under the influence of some powerful charm. 
Others there were, however, who listened to her 
triumphant songs, and beheld her calm steadfast 
countenance with widely different thoughts and 
feelings. 

But the sufferings of this poor creature had not 
yet terminated. The rage of her persecutors was 
not yet appeased. Next day the ordinary chains 
she wore were exchanged for others,^ consisting of 
rings and bars fastened around her wrists,- knees, 
ankles, and neck, and these, when drawn together, 
forced her whole body into a position that caused 
intense agony— something like that which we have 


288 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


described as having been' seen by Mark and his 
comrades in the same prison-house. In this posture 
it was impossible to use the voice in song, but, 
doubtless, she was not even then prevented from 
making melody in her heart to the Lord, for whose 
name she suffered so much. All night long was 
this terrific trial endured, but with the dawn of 
day came relief, for then the chains were relaxed ; 
and so great was the change that poor Easalama 
looked forward to the fate which she knew awaited 
her with feelings of joy. 

That fate was not long delayed. Soon they led 
her out of the prison, and took the road which con- 
ducted towards the southern extremity of the hill 
on which the city stood, where was the tremendous 
precipice down which many a criminal and many 
a Christian martyr had already in Eanavalona’s 
evil reign been hurled out of Time into Eternity, 
Yet this was not the gate through which Easalama 
was to pass into Paradise.^ 

As she walked along, the poor martyr began again 
to sing a favourite hymn. When passing the place 
of worship, at that time closed, she exclaimed. 

There have I heard the words of the Saviour.” 
Hundreds of people accompanied her. Some even 

1 Rasalama was in truth the first martyr of Madagascar. She was 
slain in the year 1837. We have only transposed the date. Her 
story is given, without variation worthy of mention, from authentic 
records. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


289 


ventured to whisper words of comfort to her as she 
went along, although by doing so they imperilled 
their own lives, and one young man, utterly regard- 
less of consequences, walked boldly by her side, 
speaking to her of the Saviour, till the place of 
execution was reached. 

To this spot Mark Breezy and his companions in 
exile had hastened, for the Secretary had told them 
that some of the Christians were about to be exe- 
cuted, and a fearful suspicion that their friend 
Mamba might be among the number impelled them 
to hasten to the spot with some half-defined intention 
of 'interfering in his behalf. For they had gradually, 
and imperceptibly to themselves, acquired a great 
liking for the young native, whose earnest, straight- 
forward, yet playful spirit, together with his great 
kindness to his mother, had deeply impressed them 
during the brief time they had sojourned together in 
the forest. 

“Will we fight forffim, massa?” asked Ebony, 
with anxious looks, as they ran to the place of 
execution, which was not far off. 

“That would be useless,” answered Mark. “If 
we were thirty Samsons instead of three ordi- 
nary men, we could not overcome the Queen’s 
army.” 

“I’ve half a mind to try,” said Hockins, with 
something unusually fierce in his expression, 
T 


290 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


“Many a man has run a-muck before now. IVe 
got to die once at any rate !” 

“And what good would that do to Mamba?” 
asked Mark. “ JSTo, I will try another plan. I have 
fortunately done service to the Queen in saving the 
life'of her son. If Mamba is to be martyred, I will 
throw my arms round him and ask the Queen in 
return to spare the life of my friend.” 

They had by that time mingled with the dense 
crowd that stood on the brow of the precipice of 
Ambohipotsy to witness the execution. Pushing 
to the front with breathless anxiety, they were 
just in time to see Piasalama led forward by two 
men armed with spears. In front of them was a 
shallow ditch, and a little further on the brow of 
the precipice, from which was seen a magnificent 
prospect of the surrounding country. But no 
prospect, however sublime, could have attracted the 
eyes of the three friends just then, for in front of 
them stood two crosses supporting the bodies of two 
Christians who had been crucified thereon the day 
before. Even these, however, lost their horrible 
power of fascination, when they observed the cheer- 
ful holy expression of Easalama’s. countenance as 
she was led to the edge of the ditch which was ■ to 
be her grave. The bottom of that grave was already 
strewn with the bloody remains and the bleaching 
bones of other martyrs who had preceded her. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 291 

The crowd, who had followed the procession with 
imprecations against the Christians, now ceased to 
shout. 

“ Will you allow me a short time to pray ?” asked 
Kasalama of the executioners. 

Her request being granted, she kneeled on the 
rocky ground, clasped her hands, and raised to 
Heaven a look of calm trustfulness, as she held 
communion for the last time on earth with her 
Eedeemer. 

Where is the God she prays to that he does 
not save her now ?” whispered some. Others held 
their peace, but laid these things to heart. 

While the poor creature was thus engaged, the 
two executioners, without warning, thrust their 
spears deep into her body. It was the custom of 
these men to plunge the spears into the loins 
of their victims on each side of the back-bone 
in such a position that they did not produce 
immediate death, but allowed the martyrs to 
tumble into the ditch and writhe there in agony 
for some time with the spears still sticking in 
them. Happily, ~ in the case of Easalama, the 
thrusts were— either intentionally or accidentally 
— more effective than usual After a very brief 
struggle, her happy soul was set free to be “ for ever 
with the Lord.” 

In that- ditch her poor mangled body was, left to 


292 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


be devoured by the wild dogs that frequent all 
places in Madagascar where criminals suffer.^ 

“ Oh, God !” exclaimed Mark, unable to repress a 
groau. “ Let us quit this accursed spot.” 

“Stay, sir, stay,” whispered the sailor at his 
elbow, “ you forget Mamba. More are cornin’.” 

Mora martyrs were indeed . coming, as the singing 
of hymns proved. 

Close on the heels of Easalama, a band of nine 
other Christians were carried to the place of 
execution, each with his feet and hands tied to- 
gether and slung on a pole, the ends of which were 
borne by two men. Straw had been stuffed into 
their mouths to prevent praying or singing, but 
several of them, managing to get rid of the straw, 
burst into the triumphal songs which had attracted 
the attention of our seaman. 

Arrived at the ditch, the victims were asked if 
they would give up praying to Jesus. In every 
case the answer was a decided “No!” They were 
then thrust into the. ditch, forced down on their 
knees, and made to bend forward. While this was 
being done, the shuddering friends oL Mamba per- 
ceived that he was not among the martyrs. One by 
one each unfortunate wa& stabbed in the loins, close 

' 1 Close to the spot where the heroic Rasalama knelt to pray and 
die, a large Memorial Church now stands, the spire of which forms a 
conspicuous object in every distant view of the city. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 293 

on either side of the back-bone, but not one was 
terrified into recanting, although by so doing he 
might have been restored at once to life and liberty. 
The truth of that word, As thy days thy strength 
shall be,” was clearly and wonderfully proved in the 
case of these sufferers. After all had fallen, their 
heads were cut off and placed in a row on the edge of 
the ditch. /Five of the nine belonged to one family. 

One man who had been reserved to the last, for 
some reason or other that was not. explained, was 
led to the brow of the j)recipice, and the same 
question was put to him that had been put to his 
fellow-martyrs. From the spot on which he stood 
he could look down into the awfuLgulf, a sheer 
descent of sixty feet, first to a place where a ledge 
projected, and then, a further descent of still greater 
depth to the bottom, where the ground was covered 
with rocks and debris from the cliffs. 

Unfaltering in courage and allegiance to the 
Master, his “No !” was distinct and decisive. Next 
moment he was hurled over. With terrific force he 
struck the ledge, and it must have been a lifeless 
body that was finally shattered on the plain below. 

As the people immediately began to .disperse after 
this, Mark and his friends hastened away from the 
place with an overwhelming sense of horror upon 
them, but thankful as well as relieved to know that 
their friend Mamba was not yet among the martyrs. 


294 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


CHAPTEE XXL 

MAMBA, SUBJECTED TO THE ORDEAL OF THE “TANGENA,” ESCAPES, 
BUT AFTERWARDS ACCUSES HIMSELF AND IS CONDEMNED. 

If Dot yet among the martyrs, it was soon evident 
that Mamba stood a good chance of being among them 
before long — and that the mother of whom he was 
so fond, and for the gratification of whose spiritual 
longings he had risked so much, would probably 
never receive the Gospel of Peace from his hands. 

While in prison under accusation of being a 
believer in the religion of the white man, he had 
debated much with himself as to what was his duty 
in the present distress. Was he bound to confess 
Christ and take the consequence — which, of course, 
he knew to be death ? To deny Him was out of 
the question. He at once dismissed that idea as 
untenable. But was there no other mode of escape ? 
Did not the Word itself advise that when persecuted 
in one city he was not only entitled but advised to 
escape to another ? “ But how am I to escape ? Oh 
God, guide me ! ” he cried, lifting his clasped hands 
as he converted the question into a prayer. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


295 


The rattling of his chains seemed to bid him 
dismiss all hope, but he did not lose faith. He 
continued to pray and meditate. And the longer he 
meditated the more anxiously did he long to be back 
in the cave beside his Eeni — his humble-minded 
loving little mother — and beside — yes, he made no 
attempt to conceal it from himself^beside the 
beautiful queen-liko sister of Laihova. The more he 
meditated, however, the more hopeless did his case 
seem to become. To lie he would not — not even to 
gain Kamatoa. To die he would rather not! To 
escape he could not ! 

At last he hit upon an idea. He would refuse 
to answer. He would take refuge in absolute 
silence ! 

As might have been expected, this course of policy 
did not -avail him much. When it was found that 
he would not say whether he was a Christian or not, 
it was resolved that the matter should be settled by 
an appeal to the ordeal of the Tangena. 

This used to be a common and much-practised 
ordeal in Madagascar in days but recently past. It 
consisted in the administration of poison.^ Other 
ordeals existed in the island — such as passing a red- 
hot iron over the tongue, or plunging the naked arm 
into a large pot of boiling water and picking out a 
pebble thrown therein for the purpose of trial. 
Alas for both innocent and guilty subjected to 


296 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


either trial ! But the ordeal most universally in 
favour was that of the-Tangena. 

The Tangena is in fact a poisonous nut about the 
size of a chestnut, which derives its name from the 
tree that bears it. If taken in small doses it acts 
as an emetic ; if in large doses it kills. Many pages 
would be required to give a full and particular 
account of all the Malagasy superstitions connected 
with the ordeal. Let it suffice to say, roughly, that 
previous to the poison being administered the accused 
person is obliged to swallow whole, or rather- bolt, 
three pieces of the skin of a fowl, about the size of a 
dollar. Then the decoction of Tangena in rice-water 
is administered. If given strong it kills, and the 
unfortunate is held to have been guilty. If not too 
strong, and the sufferer be able to bear it, vomiting is 
the result, and the three pieces of skin are eagerly 
looked for. The finding of the pieces proves the 
accused to be innocent. The not finding of them 
proves him guilty, and at once, if he be a free man, 
he is killed, if a slave he is sold, and got rid of in 
some distant market. There was a very complex 
system of combined profit and superstition surround- 
ing the whole affair which it is difficult as well as 
useless thoroughly to understand, but which it is 
easy to see afforded clever scoundrels the means of 
persecuting, defrauding, or killing any whom they 
chanced to dislike, or who stood in their way. Of 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


297 


course it was very easy to make the potion strong 
enough to kill, or to dilute it with rice-water until 
it became almost harmless. 

Now, when Mark Breezy heard that Mamba was 
condemned to swallow the Tangena he went straight 
to his friend Kakota. 

“Prince Kakota,” he said, earnestly, “if your 
expressions of gratitude to me are sincere you will 
save the life of this man.” 

“ I will try,” returned the Prince, “ but the Queen 
is very angry just now ! ” 

When the Prince pleaded for the man’s life Rana- 
valona asked of what he was accused. 

“ Of praying to the Christians’ God.” 

“ Does he admit the charge ? ” demanded the 
Queen sternly. 

“No — I believe not.” 

“ Then, let the Tangena decide. It always speaks 
the truth. Our ancestors thought so, and I will 
not change the customs of our ancestors ! ” said this 
outrageously conservative queen. 

Kakota, however, was a determined man and not 
easily foiled. Going privately to those who had the 
management of the matter, he made use of those 
mysterious arguments with which princes manage 
to attain their ends, and afterwards told Mark the 
result, which was, according to Hockins, that 
“ Mamba’s grog was to be well watered ! ” As Mark 


298 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


could do nothing more for his friend he went with 
his companions to see the result. 

There was another man, accused of stealing, who 
was to be tested at the same time. He was a strong 
sturdy pugnacious- looking man. 

A good deal of ceremonial of course preceded the 
ordeal. Among other things the poison had to be 
tested on two fowls. It killed them both and was 
deemed too strong. Being diluted it was tried on 
two other fowls, and killed neither. It was there- 
fore considered rather weak. At last, having been 
reduced to the exact strength which killed one fowl 
and only sickened the other, the potion was admin- 
istered to the reputed thief, after a long prayer or 
invocation. For two hours there was no result, but 
at the end of that time the pains began, and increased 
with much violence, yet the man maintained his 
innocence. His agonies were soon extreme. Amidst 
his torture he solicited medicine, but this was refused. 
His bowels, he said, were writhing as if in knots. 
His groans were awful. His eyes seemed ready to 
start from their sockets. His countenance assumed 
a ghastly hue, and his entire frame was convulsed 
with torture. Then he vomited violently, and, 
fortunately for him, the three pieces of skin which 
he had swallowed made their appearance. He was 
at once pronounced innocent and set free. 

Poor Mamba had to witness all this before his 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 299 

own turn came. Once more he was questioned, but 
continued dumb. Then he was made to swallow 
his three pieces of skin and to drink the Tangena. 

The state of mind of his friends as they watched 
him after what they had just seen may be conceived 
but cannot be described. In Mamba’s case the 
poison acted differently. Being well diluted, its 
effects, although severe, were not to be compared 
with those experienced by the first sufferer. Still 
they were bad enough, and vomiting commenced 
much sooner. To the great satisfaction of his 
friends the three pieces of skin were ejected, and 
Mamba, being pronounced innocent, had his fetters 
removed and was set free. 

But when Mark hastened to congratulate him, 
what was his surprise to see the poor fellow clasp 
his hands and raise them to Heaven, while an ex- 
pression of pain — very different from that resulting 
from physical suffering — convulsed his features. 

“ Oh ! no, no !” he exclaimed, in a tone of agony, 
I am not innocent. I am guilty ! guilty ! very 
wicked ! I have denied Thee, dear Lord, by my 
looks, though not with my lips! Forgive me, 0 
God!” Then, turning quickly to the officers of 
justice, '‘Here — put on the chains again. I am a 
praying man ! I love the Lord Jesus. He will 
save you as well as me if you will come to Him ! ” 
As this was spoken in the native language our 


300 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Englishmen did not understand it, but they had 
little difficulty in guessing the drift of it when they 
saw the officers replace the chains and lead Mamba 
back to prison, where the last words the jailor heard 
as he left him were, “ Mother, mother ! Eamatoa ! 
I shall never more see your dear faces in this life — 
never more ! ” 

But in this Mamba was mistaken, as the sequel 
will show. 

Meanwhile Mark hurried back to the palace and 
told Eakota what had occurred. The Prince was 
not surprised. He had mingled much with the 
Christians, and knew, well the spirit by which they 
were animated. He went at once to the Queen, who 
was enraged at first by his persistent pleading, 
vowed that Mamba should die, and gave orders to 
that effect. But on reconsidering the matter she 
commuted the sentence into life-long slavery in 
long chains. 

There is usually but brief delay between a sentence 
and its execution in Madagascar. The very next 
day heavy chains were riveted on Mamba. These, 
at one end, were- attached to an iron collar round his 
neck, at the other end to iron rings round his ankles. 
What sailors would call the slack of these heavy 
fetters was gathered up in one of the wearer’s 
hands, and thus carried while he moved about at 
work. 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 301 

The poor fellow was first set to work on a piece 
of road-mending just outside the city gate, with 
several others^ — martyrs and criminals — in similar 
condemnation. And here Mark and his companions 
met him ^unexpectedly before they were aware that 
the fearful punishment had begun. 

At the time poor Mamba was toiling with pick 
and shovel. His heart was almost broken. Death 
he could have faced without flinching, but to be a 
life-long slave in galling chains, with the possibility 
even of seeing his mother and Eamatoa, without 
being permitted to go near or speak to them, was 
almost more than he could bear. A deep groan 
burst from his overcharged breast as he cried, “ Oh 
Lord Jesus, enable me to bear it ! ” 

It was just then that Ebony observed him and 
uttered a falsetto cry of astonishment. 

The . Secretary, who was conducting Mark and 
Hockins on a visit to one of the suburban places of 
resort, stopped and looked round. 

" Dars- Mamba, massa ! ” cried Ebony. 

Mark ran to him at once, but was stopped by the 
guard. A few words from the Secretary, however, 
sufficed, and Mark was allowed to speak to the slave, 
which he did through' the Secretary. 

Despair was in Mamba’s every tone and look, for 
the crushing calamity was too recent and too tre- 
mendous to be borne with equanimity at first. Yet 


302 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


through it all there ran, as it were, a tiny silver 
thread of hope. 

For is it not true,” he said, that ' with God all 
things are possible ’ ? ” 

‘‘ My friend,” said Mark in reply, and with a burst 
of enthusiasm, “ I will save you somehow ! Keep a 
good heart.” 

Mamba smiled faintly, yet gratefully, as he shook 
his head, gathered up the superfluous links of his 
chain, and resumed his toil. 

“ How will you save him ? ” asked the Secretary, 
with a peculiar half-amused look, as they walked 
away. 

“ I know not,” answered Mark. “ But we have a 
proverb, ‘ Where there ’s a will there *s a way,’ and I 
have a determined will to save my poor friend from 
this slavery. I will not cease to try — as we say in 
England, ' I will leave no stone unturned,’ — till I 
have accomplished this thing. Moreover I will not 
cease to pray for this end. Mamba’s trust in God 
puts me to shame. Up to this time I have only 
recognised by name that Saviour whom this man 
worships. God helping me, I will henceforth follow 
the Lord ! ” 

To the surprise of the young man the Secretary 
turned suddenly on him and grasped his hand, and 
said in a low voice, as he looked cautiously round — 

“ It gives me joy to hear you speak so. I too am 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 303 

a follower of Jesus. I tell you this because I know, 
now, that you will not betray me. There are many 
of us in the palace besides Prince Kakota, but we 
dare not speak out, for the Queen is very angry, as 
you know. Hush ! Tell it not even to your com- 
panions. Little birds have ears. If the Queen 
suspects any of us, in her present state of mind, she 
will either ruin or kill us.” 

“I have heard something of this,” said Mark, 
"from the friend who guided us to the capital ” 

" I know,” interrupted the Secretary, with an 
intelligent nod. " It was Eavoninohitriniony. He 
is well known to us. He loves Eafaravavy, and is 
now in the neighbourhood of the capital, hoping 
to induce her to fly with him to the forests. You 
are surprised, but you would not be so if you knew 
the number of spies that Eanavalona has out every- 
where.” 

"Has my friend Eavonino (we call him so for 
brevity) been seen in — in — I mean near the city 
lately ? ” asked Mark, anxiously. 

“Hot in the city, certainly,” returned the Secre- 
tary. "Bold and daring though he is, he would 
scarcely venture that ; but he has been seen and 
heard of more than once lately.” 

Mark felt relieved. It was evident the Secretary 
neither knew of nor suspected the fact that Eavonino 
had actually attended the garden party and met Eafa- 


304 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


ravavy almost under the .Queen’s eyes ! Eemem- 
bering, however, that the Prime Minister had sent 
Soa to pretend to be a Christian, in order that he 
might discover the secrets of the Christians, and 
not having yet had much experience of the Secre- 
tary’s character, he resolved to be very cautious in 
his reference to Eavonino, — indeed to any one with 
whom he had to- do. Acting on this resolve he 
changed the subject by asking- questions about the 
extensive rice-grounds around the capital. 

The Secretary was of a communicative disposition, 
and evidently fond of airing his English. He will- 
ingly followed in conversation wherever the young 
doctor chose to lead, and gave him and his friends 
a great deal of interesting information as to the 
manners and customs of the Malagasy people — their 
habits, beliefs, and laws. 

Among the latter he spoke of a curious fact in 
regard to criminals which gave Mark a sudden 
inspiration ! Hockins afterwards styled it a 
“wrinkle.” Ebony called it a “dodge.” But, 
whatever might be said on that head, it had the 
effect of very materially altering the conditions of 
some of the personages of this tale, as the following 
chapters will show. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAK. 305 


CHAPTEE XXIL 

THE COURT PHYSICIAN PRESCRIBES FOR THE QUEEN— A BLOW-UP, 

AND MYSTERIOUS PREPARATIONS FOR TREMENDOUS SURPRISES. 

AlBOUT this time the anger of Queen Eanavalona 
against the Christians was so great that she made her- 
self quite ill, and more than once had to send for her 
Court Physician, Mark Breezy, to prescribe for her. 

Our youthful medico understood her complaint, 
which was a simple one. He prescribed much 
exercise, change of air, and amusement, so as to 
distract her mind from the cares of State and the 
evil passions to which she was giving way. He 
hoped thus to serve the Christians indirectly, for he 
saw clearly that the mere mention of their existence 
made her ill. Some slight administrations of physic, 
also, coupled with judicious alterations of diet, put 
her Majesty in a state of such excellent health and 
spirits that she began to entertain quite a warm 
regard for her Court Physician, and congratulated 
herself not a little on the good fortune which had 
sent him to the capital. 

Thus Mark was enabled to disperse, for a time, 
u 


306 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


the dark cloud which had been lowering over the 
land— not, however, in time to prevent many 
Christians from being slain, and some even of the 
officers and ladies of the palace from being degraded, 
their honours taken from them, and themselves and 
children sold as slaves. 

Among the ladies, Eafaravavy had a narrow 
escape. For a time her life seemed to hang by a 
hair, for she was rebellious as well as fearless, and 
would sing her favourite hymns in spite of orders 
to the contrary ! Love prevailed, however, as in the 
case of Prince Kakota, and she was tolerated as a 
sort of spoilt child. 

Being a favourite, Mark of course became a man 
of power in the capital. This fact would have raised 
him a host of enemies had it not been for the kind- 
ness of his disposition and the urbanity of his 
manners. When a strapping powerful young fellow 
treats every one with respectful deference, keeps in 
the background, and neither by word nor look 
asserts himself, but, on the contrary, seems to enter- 
tain kindly thoughts about every one, it argues 
such an absence of selfishness that most people are 
irresistibly attracted to him. Thus, unwittingly, he 
escaped jealousy and enmity in a palace where both 
were rife, and, holding in his hands as he did the 
power to alleviate many of the “ills that flesh is 
heir to,” he secured a good deal of warm friendship. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 307 

Being also an ingenious youth, he devised many 
little plans for. amusing Eanavalona and preventing 
her mind from dwelling on dangerous memories. 
Among other things, he induced her to go in for a 
series of garden parties, and encouraged the people 
to practise their national . games at these gatherings 
in a systematic way. 

What all this was ultimately to lead to he did 
not know^indeed at first he had no particular end 
in view, save the great one of preventing the Queen 
from ordering any - more of the horrible scenes of 
bloodshed which he and his friends had so recently 
witnessed. But as time ran on his ideas became 
more definite and concentrated. It occurred to him 
that Eavonino would inevitably venture to attend 
the garden parties in the hope of again meeting 
Eafaravavy, and now that the Secretary had avowed 
himself on the side of the Christians, he felt that 
through him he might influence her to agree to her 
lover’s proposal. 

Then his plan to effect the rescue of Mamba was 
gradually matured. 

“ Ebony,” he exclaimed, suddenly, one afternoon 
when sitting at his table preparing some villainous 
compound for the Queen, “ go down to the laboratory, 
boy, and fetch me some gunpowder, sulphur, salt- 
petre, and charcoal.” 

Mark’s laboratory, by the way, contained not 


308 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


only the medicines which chanced to be in the 
capital at that time, but also a vast collection of 
miscellaneous articles and substances which, in the 
opinion of palace officials, could be classed, however 
remotely, with “ doctor’s stuffs.” 

“ Them stuffs,” remarked Hockins, who sat 
luxuriously in an arm-chair smoking a short pipe 
— for he had unfortunately obtained tobacco since 
arriving at the capital ! — “ Them stuffs are apt to 
cause surprisin’ effects w’en properly mixed.” 

“ Just so. That is my reason for sending for them. 
I shall create some surprising effects if my old 
cunning in pyrotechny has not forsaken me. When 
I was a school-boy, you must know, I was fond of 
dabbling in fireworks, and it strikes me that I could 
compound some things that would charm the Queen 
and astonish the natives.” 

“Massa,” asked Ebony, powerful surprise express- 
ed in his sable visage, while Mark spooned large 
quantities of the ingredients referred to into an 
earthenware dish, “is dem powders to be took 
inside arter bein’ well shooken, or rubbed outside ? ” 
“ Whichever way you please. Ebony. Would you 
like to try ? ” 

“ No thankee, massa,” 

“ Now, then, look here,” said Mark, making some 
pencil notes on a sheet of paper, after arranging 
several plates in a row. You and Hockins set to 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 309 

work and mix these in the exact proportions set 
down on this paper. I *d do it myself, but I 'm due 
at the palace, and you know the Queen does not 
like to be kept waiting. Stick to the paper, exactly, 
and here you have an egg-cup, a table-spoon, and a 
tea-spoon to measure with. Put your pipe out, I 
advise you, Hockins, before beginning. If Eaini- 
haro should call, tell him he will find me with 
the Queen. I don’t like that Prime Minister. He’s 
a prime^ rascal, I think, and eggs the Queen on 
when she would probably let things drop. He’s 
always brooding and pondering, too, as if hatching 
mischief.” 

“If that’s a sign of hatching mischief,” said 
Hockins, with a short laugh, “the same thing may 
be said of yourself, doctor, for you ’ve done little but 
brood and ponder for more nor a week past.” 

“True, I have been plotting; but many a man 
plots much without much resulting.” 

Hurrying away, Mark found the Secretary waiting 
for him to act as interpreter, for the Queen under- 
stood little or no English. 

After the preliminary ceremonial salutations, the 
young doctor asked if her Majesty would honour 
the gardens with her presence the following day, 
hold a grand reception, and make arrangements to 
remain in Anosy till after dark. 

Yes, the Queen was quite ready to do so, but 


310 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


why did her Court Physician make such a proposal ? 
Had he some new surprise in store for her ? 

“ I have,” answered Mark. “ In my country we 
make very grand displays with fire. But I have 
various little surprises and plots in store, which 
cannot be properly wrought out unless Eanavalona 
will consent to go to the gardens privately — that is 
to say, without public announcement, for that has 
much to do with the success of my scheme.” 

‘‘ It shall be done, though it is against my cus- 
tom,” said the Queen, with a good-natured nod, for 
she had begun to regard her young physician as an 
eccentric creature who needed and deserved en- 
couragement in his amusing and harmless fancies. 

Immediately after the audience, Mark and his 
sympathetic interpreter, the Secretary, obtained an 
interview with Eafaravavy. The doctor began 
abruptly. 

"I am well acquainted with your lover, dear 
young lady.” At this she pouted a little, blushed 
terribly, and drew her pretty figure to its full height 
— which was not great ! “ And,” continued Mark, 

“ I have been very deeply indebted to him.” 

Eafaravavy relaxed a little, and fixed her fine 
dark eyes on the youth searchingly, but said nothing. 

“Now I know,” Mark went on, pretending not 
to observe the maiden’s varying moods, “that my 
friend loves you so profoundly — so deeply — that he 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 311 

will risk his life to see you, and if he is caught, you 
are well aware that in the present state of the 
Queen’s mind the result would be his death — almost 
certainly, and perhaps you would die along with 
him. Therefore, if you get an opportunity soon 
you should agree to fly with him.” 

During the first part of this speech the young 
girl’s face glowed with evident pleasure, but the 
last part was unfortunate. It did not suit the 
temper of one who was brave as she was beautiful 

“ I know not, sir,” she said, with flashing eyes, 
while the little figure drew up again, “ what English 
girls may think or do, but Malagasy women are not 
afraid to die with those whom they love. Your 
advice may be kindly meant, but I doubt if it is 
wise. Besides, I am a servant of my Queen, and 
owe allegiance to her.” 

Your Queen, mademoiselle, is a servant of the 
devil,” said Mark, whose indignation was severely 
stirred. “ And,, Eafaravavy, do you not profess to 
be a servant of the Christians’ God — the Almighty ? 
Does not the Book state that it is impossible to 
serve- two masters ? ” 

“ Come, come ! ” cried the Secretary, in a sharp 
tone, after translating this faithfully, “ it is time to 
go. Follow me ! ” 

Mark’s surprise at this abrupt termination of the 
interview was great, but as Kafaravavy retired 


312 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


hastily, he had no resource but to follow his 
friend. 

“ Why so sharp 1 ” he asked, as they passed along 
the corridor. 

“ Because you have said enough,” returned the 
Secretary, with a quiet smile. “You may under- 
stand your own women, no doubt, but not the 
Malagasy girls as well as I do. When a man has 
said enough to a woman he should stop and let it 
simmer. All the rest that he would say she will 
say to herself — and say it much better, too ! But 
tell me, when do you think Eavoninohitriniony will 
meet Eafaravavy ? ” 

“ I don’t know. All I know is that a true lover 
is sure to manage a meeting soon — and somehow.” 

He was glad to be able to make this indefinite 
reply ; for although he trusted the Secretary, and 
would have revealed his own affairs fully to him, 
he felt that he had no right to reveal the affairs of 
his friend to any one. 

Before they reached the palace-yard a loud report 
was heard. The palace shook as with an earth- 
quake. Loud cries of soldiery were heard with- 
out, and Mark’s heart sank with an undefinable 
dread. 

To account for this report we must go back a 
little. When Hockins and Ebony were left, as we 
have seen, to mix their “powders,” the former, 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


313 


being a reckless man, forgot to put his pipe out, 
and Ebony being a careless man (as regarded him- 
self), did not observe the omission. The consequence 
was that the seaman kept on puffing and emitting 
sage reflections to his admiring friend while they 
mixed their compounds in concert. 

“ Hand me the powder. Ebony.” 

“ Das good — ha ! ha! das awrful good,” cried the 
negro, referring to the latest sage reflection — as 
he pushed across the powder canister, which was a 
large one. 

At that inauspicious moment a spark fell from 
the pipe 1 Next moment the door was burst open, 
the window blown out, Hockins was laid flat on 
his back, while Ebony went head-over-heels upon 
the floor ! 

Slowly and with a dazed look the seaman raised 
himself on one elbow and looked round. 

“ An — anything of ye left, boy ? ” he asked, 
quietly. 

I — I ’s not kite sure, Dckins,” replied the negro, 
slowly passing' fiis^ hand down one of his legs 
without rising from the floor. “ ’Ow does it feel 
wid you ? ” 

“ All right, I think,” replied the seaman, rising 
and presenting a remarkable, exhibition of singed 
beard and frizzled locks, ‘‘no bones broke, anyhow.” 

At that instant Mark rushed into the smoke-filled 


314 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


room in consternation, followed by the Secretary 
and a number of soldiers who formed the guard of 
the palace, and great was their surprise, as well as 
their satisfaction, to find that the two men had 
received no damage worth mentioning. 

“ Well, I am thankful,” exclaimed Mark, beginning 
to pick up the debris of plates and furniture. 

“ So am I,” remarked the sailor, “ thankful to 
think that I ’ve got it over at last — so easy too ! ” 

“ Why, what do you mean ? ” 

“ I means, doctor, that I Ve gone the whole round 
o’ human possibilities now — leastwise I think so — 
and am alive to tell it ! I’ve bin shot, an’ stabbed, 
an’ drownded — all but — an’ now I’ve bin blow’d up!” 

So ’s I, ’Ockins, so you needn’t boast,” remarked 
Ebony, as he tenderly felt the place where his wool 
ought to have been, but where only a few irregularly- 
shaped patches of scrub remained. 

We need scarcely say that Mark Breezy did not 
allow this little contretemps to interfere with his 
plans. 

“You’ll have to work all night, both of you — 
that’s your punishment for disobeying orders — and 
without the solace of a pipe too,” said Mark, when 
order was somewhat restored and work resumed. 
“ The garden party, you know, is fixed for to-morrow, 
and it ’s as much as our heads are worth to disappoint 
the Queen of her expected amusements. Time, tide. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 315 

and Eanavaloiia'J. wait for no man ! I 've got to go 
out for an hour or so. When I return I ’ll show you 
how to make stars and crackers and red rain, etc.” 

“ But I say, Doctor,” asked Hockins, looking up 
from his work, “ where are the cases to hold all this 
here stuff?” 

“ Time enough for that when we want ’em. I ’ve 
got some fellows at work on small ones, and there ’s 
a big one that will open the Madagaskite eyes if 

there’s- virtue in saltpetre. It’s made of ah ! here 

it comes,” he added, as the door opened and two 
natives carried in a piece of cast-iron pipe about six 
feet long and four inches in diameter. 

The pistol-barrel of a giant,” exclaimed the sea- 
man. 

A young cannon ! ” said Ebony. “ W’y, massa, 
you gwine to make a Eoman candle ob dat ? ” 

He turned for an answer, but Mark had hastily 
quitted the house. 

Encountering the Secretary in the court-yard, he 
took his arm and said, “ I want your help.” 

“ Well, you shall have it. But you are so mys — 
mys — what is it — sterious about your leetil plans, 
that I fear my help is not useful.” 

“ Oh ! yes, it is. I want you to get me a paper 
from — I don’t know who — the proper officer, whoever 
he is, authorising me to take a gang of convicts — 
four will do — to work for me.” 


316 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


“ Good, you shall have it,” returned the Secretary, 
with a laugh. “ I see you are going to give us big 
surprises to-morrow.” 

“ You are right, I am,” said Mark, as the Secretary 
left him to execute his mission. 

Armed with an order, Mark left the palace and 
hurried through the steep narrow streets of the 
town, until he reached a piece of road that was 
being mended by four slaves in long chains. That 
morning Mark had observed that his friend the 
crocodile was one of the four. Passing close enough to 
attract the attention of the poor fellow, he whispered, 
without stopping, “ Mamba, expect me to-morrow.” 

This he had said in the native tongue, having by 
that time acquired a few sentences, of which he made 
the best and most frequent use possible. 

Going to the guard of these slaves, he presented 
his paper, and said that he should come personally 
for them early in the morning. Then he returned to 
the laboratory and assisted his comrades to load the 
firework cases with various kinds of “fire,” stars, 
golden rain, etc. The young cannon especially was 
loaded, with a succession of surprises, to the very 
muzzle before midnight. 

“ Suppose he bust ! ” suggested Ebony, with a 
solemn visage. “ De Queen ob Madigascur be blow’d 
into middle ob nixt week — hey ? ” 

“ I shall take precautions against that, Ebony. ' In 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 317 

the first place, I ’ll have it buried in the earth up to 
the muzzle, and, in the jsecond place, I ’ll not place it 
too near^her Majesty.” 

When all was prepared the wearied- triumvirate 
retired to rest, each to dream of the subjects that lay 
nearest his heart and imagination at the moment. 
Hockins dreamed of tobacco-pipes and explosions ; 
Mark of freed slaves, thunderstruck queens, eloping 
lovers and terrible consequences ; Ebony of incom- 
prehensible situations, crashing thunderbolts,* and 
unimaginable coruscations of resplendent fire ! 


318 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


CHAPTER XXIIL 

IN WHICn MARK CARRIES OUT HIS PLANS SUCCESSFULLY, AND POWER- 
FULLY ASTONISHES HIMSELF AS WELL AS EVERY ONE ELSE. 

It was a brilliant lovely morning when the guests 
began to wend their way to the suburban residence 
of Anosy, where Ranavalona was to hold her garden 
party. 

The people were very gay, somewhat excited, and 
very chatty, for they were aware that the young 
English doctor had prepared something new and 
surprising for the Queen’s special benefit. 

Just before the earliest of these guests, however, 
had set off to the garden, our three heroes had 
passed down to that part of the road where the four 
slaves were already at work with pick and shovel 
and clanking chain. 

It was a little after sunrise when Mark went up 
to the guard to relieve him. 

“ Take care,” said the guard, when about to leave, 
that you keep the slaves well out of the way when 
the Queen passes. All the others in the neighbour- 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MAD AGASCAK. 319 

hood have been taken off long ago. I was beginning 
to be afraid you would not come in time.” 

“ I understand,” said Mark, who knew enough of 
the language (and also of the situation) to follow 
the drift of his meaning. 

The guard thereupon turned, shouldered his 
musket, and went off, apparently well pleased at the 
unexpected relief from duty. 

While this little incident was occurring three of 
the slaves were looking on with a slight expression 
of surprise in their sad faces. The fourth, Mamba, 
was standing in a dejected attitude before Hockins 
and Ebony, holding a pick in one hand and his 
heavy chain in the other. 

“ Oh ! man, I am sorry to see you like this,” said 
Hockins, extending his brawny hand, “ an’ I does 
wish I could set you free — but you know I’m as 
helpless as a' babby in this matter.” 

Mamba dropped the pick and grasped the strong 
hand, but did not look up. His heart was too full. 
He did not understand the seaman’s words, but he 
understood the tone. If he had looked up he would 
have seen that tha tears were hopping over Ebony’s 
cheeks in spite of the powerful efforts of that 
sympathetic soul to control them, and that he was 
unable to speak because of a lump in his throat. 

Das most awrful ! ” he exclaimed at last. Oh, 
Mamby, I ’d fight for you like a wild-cat wid the 


320 THE FUGITIVES, OR 

cholera if that would do j^ou any good, but it would 
be ob no use.” 

Just then Mark came forward. ‘‘Quick, follow 
me,” he said, leading the way to a thick clump of 
bushes behind a wall that bordered the road. Here, 
quite concealed, yet able to peep through the leafy 
screen, he ordered his party to sit down on a heap 
of stones and await orders. He then went to 
the top of a mound that lay immediately behind 
them. From this he could see the road winding 
along for about two or three hundred yards. 

Descending to his comrades he sat dowm beside 
them. 

“You look anxious, doctor,” remarked the 
seaman. 

“ I am anxious,” returned Mark, “ I am on the 
point of making a great venture, and the results 
may be serious. But we are in God’s hands ; ” then, 
turning to Mamba, who looked at him with much 
curiosity and a gleam of hope on his intelligent face, 
“ I have hope of success and have prayed for it.” 

Mamba, whose knowledge of English was very 
slight, shook his head and looked puzzled. 

“Have you forgotten. Mamba, the law of your 
land — that the criminal who looks upon the Queen 
is from that moment entitled to claim freedom ? 
Eanavalona is to pass along this road in less than 
half-an-hour.” 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAE. 321 

Of course Mark said this in remarkably bad 
Malagasy, but Mamba understood. A gleam of 
intelligence shot into bis swarthy visage, and his 
chest began to heave with strong emotion as he 
glared rather than gazed at the speaker. Not less 
surprised were Hockins and Ebony when Mark 
explained, for although they had indeed heard about 
the law in question they had forgotten it. After 
recovering the first shock. Mamba turned quickly 
and pointed to his three comrades in suffering. 

‘^Yes, yes — I understand,” said Mark, “I shall 
set them free at the same time. Why not ? The 
risk will not be increased.” 

“ A reglar jail-delivery ! ” murmured Hockins, as 
he drew in a long breath. 

“ Hush ! they come ! ” cried Mark, crouching so as 
the more effectually to conceal himself, in which 
act he was quickly imitated by the others. 

According to promise, Eanavalona had set out 
from her palace that morning without her wonted 
display and ceremonial, with only a few of her 
courtiers and a handful of troops around her. 
She did not, however, omit the scarlet umbrella 
of state, and it was this brilliant object which had 
attracted Mark’s attention. 

When the procession had approached close to the 
place of concealment, Mark whispered “ Now ! ” and 
ran to the top of the mound before referred to. The 
X 


322 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


four slaves followed him. The summit gained they 
turned, lifted up their arms and chains, looked upon 
the Queen, and gave vent to the “ oo !-oo !-oo ! ” which 
stands to the Malagasy in the place of a cheer. 
Eecognising the importance of the event, Hockins 
and Ebony, unable to restrain themselves, gave vent 
to a hearty British hurrah ! 

At this interruption, the bearers of the royal 
palanquin or chair halted, the soldiers brought their 
muskets to the “ ready,” and a dark frown over- 
spread the features of the Queen. 

Before the storm could burst, however, Mark 
descended the mound, went to the side of the chair, 
knelt on one knee, and exclaimed — 

“ Forgive, madam— forgive me ! ” 

“This, then, is your doing,” replied the Queen, 
sternly, through the Secretary, who was at her 
side. 

“It is, madam. I am guilty. If punishment 
must descend, I alone should bear it.” 

There was something so modest, yet so fearless, 
in the youth’s tone and bearing, that the Queen’s 
brows relaxed a little. 

“But why did you dare to interfere with my 
laws ? ” demanded Eanavalona, still angrily. 

“ I did not venture to interfere, madam,” returned 
Mark, humbly, “ I did but use one law to neutralise 
another. One of these slaves is my friend. I think 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 323 

he would be very useful in .helping, me to-night 
with my magic fires ! ” 

There was so much of cool presumption in thus 
quietly changing the subject, with such charming 
modesty of demeanour, too, that the Queen hurst 
into a hearty laugh. 

“ Strike off his fetters,” she said, and gave the 
signal to her hearers to move on. 

“ Ay,” said Mark to the Secretary in an authori- 
tative tone, ‘‘and also strike off the fetters of 
the other three ! ” 

“ You Ve got cheek for anything a’most, doctor,” 
said the amazed and amused seaman, as they fell 
into the procession and followed the Queen to 
the pleasure-garden. 

Here extensive preparations had been made for 
spending the day in games and festivities that far 
exceeded anything of the sort ever before attempted 
in that land. For Mark Breezy had not only an 
ingenious mind to devise, but an organising spirit 
to make use of the services of others in carrying out 
his plans. 

When the guests were scattered about the grounds, 
after a good breakfast, enjoying the delightful shade 
of the trees, tempting the gold-fish in the lake with 
crumbs of food, and loitering among the by-paths, 
the young doctor made himself almost ubiquitous. 
Acting the double part of manager of the games 


324 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


and amusements, and private conspirator, he set 
an army of palace officials in motion, whom he 
pledged to secrecy, and led each to suppose that he 
was the prime mover in some plot that was to 
astonish and delight the Queen, in all which he was 
ably assisted by the Secretar}^ When he had thus 
stirred up, as it were, an air of mystery and ex- 
pectation, he led the Secretary, Hockins, and Ebony, 
to a retired spot, and, bidding them sit down, gave 
them a brief address. 

“ You see,” he said, “the time has now come for 
me to explain to you more fully the plans and plots 
with which I have been engaged for some time past. 
And in doing so I would impress, upon you, Mr. 
Secretary, that I am placing my life in your hands ; 
but I do so without fear, believing that you are a 
Christian and will not betray me.” 

Mark paused and looked full at the Secretary, who 
said, “ But you must remember that I can do 
nothing that will be disloyal to the Queen.” 

“If you were persecuted by the Queen and 
threatened with death, would you consider it allow- 
able to fly to the forests ? ” 

“Yes — the Word of the Lord recommends that.” 

“Would you consider it right to assist a fellow- 
Christian to fly ? ” 

“ Truly I would ! ' 

“Well then, you will assist me this night, for I 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


325 


have spoken to Eafaravavy. My Malagasy words 
are few, but love does not require many words 1 

She has agreed to fly with Eavonino ” 

“ Have you seen Eavonino lately ? ” asked Hockins. 
“ No — I have not seen \n.m lately'' 

“ How, then, do you know he will be ready ? ” 
“Because,” said Mark, with a peculiar look, “I 
have been smitten with his complaint, and know that 
it runs the same course and exhibits the same phases 
in most men. Let a young fellow see his intended 
bride treated with cruelty, and you may be sure that, 
no matter what difiiculties may be in the way, he 
will hasten at the very first opportunity to meet and 

carry off the sweet little fairy in spite of ” 

“ Das me an’ my black darlin’, zactly — same zif 
you bin dar an’ sawd us do it ! ” exclaimed Ebony, 
with beaming interest. 

“ Just so,” resumed Mark. “ However, I have not 
left things altogether to chance. Although I did 
not see Eavonino lately, I saw him not very long 
ago, and gave him to understand that when some 
unusual festivities were going on in this garden he 
was to be ready at the old spot for whatever might 
happen ! Now, here is my little plan. You know 
I ’ve been drilling fifty picked natives for some 
time in that big shed at the back of the cliff on the 
north side o’ the city. I picked them for intelligence 
as well as strength and activity. Well, I have 


326 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


taught them a wild war-dance. It cost me no 
little trouble and many sleepless nights to invent it, 
but I Ve managed it, and hope to show the Queen 
and Court what can be done by a little organisation. 
These fifty are first of all to glide quietly among the 
trees, each man to a particular spot and hang on 
the branches fifty earthen saucers full of grease, with 
wicks in them. At a given signal they are to light 
these instantaneously and retire. At another signal 
they are to rush upon the open space in front of the 
garden-house, and there engage in a sham fight. 
AVhile thus engaged, men who have been taught will 
set fire to the mildest of our fireworks. When these 
are about to go out T will myself light the big 
Eoman candle ” 

''De young cannon, massa 

“ Yes, the young cannon, and that will keep things 
going for a considerable time. Now, it is when the 
fight of the fifty begins and engrosses the attention of 
every one that I will myself take Eafaravavy out from 
among the ladies and lead her to the rendezvous. 
You will all stand by — to lend a hand if need be — at 
the south-east corner of the garden-house, that I may 
know exactly where to find you. My hope and 
expectation is that by keeping things going as long 
as possible our friends Eavonino and Eafaravavy 
will get a good start. After the flight of the latter 
is found out, nothing more can be done for them.” 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 327 

“ Do they go all alone ? ” asked Hockins. 

“ No, Laihova goes with them ; and Mamba, who 
knows the secret meeting-places of the Christians, 
will, I have no doubt, soon find out which way they 
have gone. Anyhow they will all certainly make 
for the cave in Betsilio land where so many of their 
friends are. May God speed them ! Meanwhile we 
must keep the Queen amused with races, wrestling, 
and such-like ; and when she begins to get wearied 
with mere eating and talking, I want you, Hockins, 
to go in for a wrestling-match with Ebony by way 
of varying the entertainment, and showing them 
what Englishmen and niggers can do.” 

‘‘Wery good,” said the seaman, with a sedate 
smile, “if that’s to be the fun, you better make 
your will. Ebony, for I ’ll break your back.” 

“ All right,” retorted Ebony, with a grin, “ an’ I 
tink you ’ll be wise to make your last dyin’ speech 
afore we begin, for I’ll bust you ! ” 

The various plans which we have here sketched 
were carried out with such brilliant success that the 
Queen did not weary at all, and darkness began to 
descend on the scene before the day seemed to have 
half run its course. At this point Mark hastened to 
the south-east corner of the garden-house, where he 
found the other conspirators faithfully at their post.” 

“Have you the flageolet with you?” he asked, 
hastily. 


328 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


“ In course I has. Never goes nowheres without 
it,” said the seaman, drawing the little instrument 
from his breast-pocket. 

“ Go then, make your bow to the Queen, and give 
her a tune. You know she ’s quite in love with 
your pipe — or yourself:-^ and has been asking me 
about it already. She ’s in the verandah just now, 
and they are lighting the torches there.” 

With the silent obedience of a man-of-war’s man, 
Hockins went off, and, without prelude, began. 
Dead silence was the instant result, for the small 
bird-like pipe seemed to charm the very soul of 
every one who heard it. We know not whether it 
was accident or a spice of humour in the seaman, 
but the tune he played was “ Jock o’ Hazeldean ! ” 
And as Mark hurried off to see that his fifty men 
were in readiness, he gave vent to a slight laugh as 
he thought of the lines : — 

“ She ’s ower the border and awa 
Wi’ Jock o’ Hazeldean ! ” 

To the surprise of the audience, no sooner had the 
last notes of the air died away than the performer 
thrust the pipe into his pocket, threw off his coat, 
and in a loud voice challenged the best man in 
Madagascar to wrestle with him. As the challenge 
was given in English of course no native responded. 
Even if it had been given in choice Malagasy we 
question whether any brown man there would have 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


329 


ventured a hug with the huge sailor. But no sooner 
had the challenge passed his lips than Ebony sprang 
forward, flung off not only his coat but his vest and 
shirt, and embraced his white opponent in a grip of 
iron. 

At that opportune moment the signal was given 
to the fifty men, who applied their lights, and, as if 
by magic, the entire scene was illuminated by a 
blaze of intense light that almost rivalled that of 
the sun itself ! 

A tremendous ''oo-oo-oo ” of applause burst from 
the astonished company, who, having had their 
attention fixed on the wrestlers, did not observe how 
the sudden illumination had been effected. 

Truly the proceedings of Hockins and Ebony 
would have surprised even more finished wrestlers 
than those of Madagascar, for the two men had 
entered into a sly compact not only to exert their 
strength to the uttermost, but to give way, each at 
certain points or moments, when by so doing the 
appearance of what they styled a “back-breaker” 
and a “buster” might be achieved in an effective 
manner. It was a marvellous exhibition. Ebony 
glared and gasped ! Hockins growled and frowned ! 
Nothing short of a tussle between Achilles and 
Hercules could have equalled it. The Court, from 
the Queen downwards, was awe-stricken, eye- 
strained, open-mouthed, and breathless, but Mark 


330 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


felt that it was time to cut it short. Giving a pre- 
concerted signal, he caused both men to fall down 
side by side as if exhausted but not conquered. 
Then he gave another signal. A moment after, fire- 
wheels and Eoman candles began to play, and the 
fifty warriors rushed upon the scene, brandishing 
muskets and yelling like fiends. 

Hastening, according to orders, to the south-east 
corner of the garden-house, Hockins and Ebony 
found the Director-General awaiting them. 

“ I cannot delay to fire the big candle,” he said 
quickly. 

“ De young cannon ! ” panted Ebony. 

“ Yes, yes. You must fire it for me in about ten 
minutes or so, when the warriors seem to be getting 
knocked up. Follow me, Hockins, and keep close.” 

Another minute and Eafaravavy, who was stand- 
ing near the Queen’s chair, felt a touch on her arm. 
She looked round with a start, for, like every one 
else, she had been fascinated and quite engrossed 
by the scene before her. 

A glance and motion of the hand from Mark 
sufficed. She glided gently backwards and reached 
the other side of the house unobserved. Here Mark 
grasped her hand and Hockins followed. They 
walked at first, but began to run on gaining the 
shrubbery, which was rendered doubly dark by 
contrast with the glare behind them. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 331 

In a couple of minutes they reached the^ thicket 
where the previous meeting had taken place. The 
overarching foliage deepened the darkness so that it 
was impossible to distinguish features. A form was 
dimly seen, but it was only by the sound of the voice 
that they knew it to be Eavonino. 

Few words were uttered. Every instant was 
precious. 

“ Farewell, dear friend,’' said Eavonino, grasping 
Mark’s hand, God grant that we may meet again 
in better times ! Laihova waits for me beyond the 
garden ” 

He stopped abruptly, seized Eafaravavy’s hand 
and glided with her noiselessly into the thicket, for 
at that moment another figure was seen to approach 
them. From his unusual size they knew him to be 
one of Eanavalona’s chief executioners. He was a 
cool-headed and suspicious man, a sort of natural 
detective, who always had his wits about him. 
Having observed several people gliding through the 
shrubbery he had quitted the sports and followed. 
To have been recognised by this official would have 
been fatal — at least to those plotters who did not 
take to flight. Hockins, who was prompt to con- 
ceive and act when danger pressed, at once stepped 
forward and gave the man of blood a right-hander on 
the top of the nose which instantly Eomanised that 
feature and laid its owner on his back insensible. 


332 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


At the same moment — as if the blow had been 
the touching of a secret spring — the whole garden was 
lighted up with a magnificent red glare, and they 
knew that Ebony had done his part and lighted the 
giant candle. The red glare lasted long enough to 
reveal the fact that Eavonino and Eafaravavy were 
gone, and that the man at their feet was indeed the 
executioner whom they had guessed him to be. 
Leaving him there they ran quickly back to the 
scene of festivities, hoping that their absence had 
not been observed. Before they had gone half-a- 
dozen steps there was an explosion like that of a 
big gun, a bomb went high into the air, and burst in 
a magnificent.constellation of brilliant stars, mingled 
with fiery rain. The “ oo-oo-oo’s,” became vociferous 
at this, and were, if possible, still more enthusiastic 
when the red fire changed to a beautifiul blue. 

“ Splendid ! ” exclaimed Mark, much satisfied with 
the result of his recent labours, “ and it will keep 
going on for a considerable time yet.” 

As he spoke there was a crash like the loudest 
thunder, and a momentary glare as of the brightest 
noon-light, which was followed by intense darkness, 
while the garden was shaken as if by an earthquake. 
Loud cries and shrieks were accompanied by the 
falling of a shower of dust and small stones. Evi- 
dently there had been a catastrophe, and the quaking 
conspirators hastened to the spot, half expecting to 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 333 

find the Queen and Court of Madagascar blown to 
atoms. 

“ The whole consarn ’s busted up ! ” exclaimed 
Hockins, on coming in sight of the garden-house. 

The seaman’s explanation was the true one. 
Owing to some inexplicable mistake in the loading 
of the monster Eoman candle, fire had communicated 
somehow with the lowest charge, which was a good 
strong one, intended to propel a glorious mass of 
ingenious contrivances into the air and end the 
matter with an effective bang. As it turned out, the 
bang was ten times more effective, for it not only 
blew out the entire charge but burst the cast-iron 
case, and upturned tons of earth in which Mark 
had taken the precaution to bury the thing up to 
its neck. 

At first the Queen, like her people, had got a severe 
fright ; but seeing that no one seemed to be hurt 
she controlled her feelings, under the impression, 
no doubt, that the explosion was part of the pro- 
gramme. 

Have you got your whistle, Hockins ? ” asked 
Mark, quickly, as he ran forward. 

“ Ay, sir — always here, ready for action ! ” 

“ Come, then, play up when I give the word — 
something quieting. Hold on ! Let ’s do it sedately.” 

By this time they had got within the circle of 
torchlight. Eeducing their run to a smart walk the 


334 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


two friends advanced, as Mark had suggested, 
sedately, in front of the Queen, while the Secretary 
rejoined the circle of courtiers unperceived. 

As they advanced they encountered Ebony with 
an unused Eoman candle in each hand, and an 
expression of horror on his black face. 

“ Oh ! massa ” he began. 

“Hush! never mind! Follow me!” said Mark, 
in a peremptory whisper. 

Another moment and the sweet tones of the 
flageolet silenced the noise of the excited throng, 
as Hockins stood before the Queen and played one 
of the sweetest of Scottish songs. 

Mark placed Ebony behind his comrade, made 
him hold up the Eoman candles, quietly lighted 
them both, and retired. Thus Hockins, much to his 
own surprise, found himself, in the midst of spout- 
ing fire, producing the melodious notes of “Afton 
Water!” 

When the little candles exploded, our Director- 
General advanced to the royal chair and expressed a 
hope that the performances had given satisfaction. 

This the Secretary — ever ready in time of need — 
translated, and returned the answer that the Queen 
was charmed, after which the proceedings terminated, 
and Eanavalona returned to her palace to dream, no 
doubt, of fireworks and music instead of martyr- 
doms. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


335 


So engrossed was the whole Court with the exciting 
and singular events of the day that no one noticed 
the absence of Eafaravavy, and, happily, the Queen 
did not happen to require her attendance that night. 

Even those who were in closest proximity to the 
fugitive’s own room were so taken up with what 
they had seen that they either did not think of her, 
or supposed that fatigue had induced her to retire 
early. 

Thus it came to pass that when her flight was dis- 
covered on the following day, Eafaravavy, carried by 
strong and willing bearers, and guarded by her 
devoted Eavonino and his faithful friend Laihova, 
was being swiftly borne over mountain and plain to 
the forest stronghold in Betsilio land. 


336 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


OHAPTEE XXIV. 

FLIGHT AND PURSUIT OF RAVONINO AND RAFARAVAVY. 

The fury of the Queen when she heard of the 
flight of Eafaravavy was terrible, for -this was the 
second of her favourite ladies-in-waiting who had 
become Christians and deserted her Court in fear 
of their lives — Ea-Euth, the fair little sister of 
Eavonino, having been the first. 

Fortunately Eanavalona did not think of connect- 
ing the flight of Eafaravavy with the recent enter- 
tainments, so that suspicion did not attach to Mark 
and his friends. Neither did the executioner with 
the Eomanised nose suspect them, for in the pro- 
found darkness he had not been able to see who it 
was that knocked the senses out of him ; and when 
afterwards he was told of the explosion that had 
occurred, he came to the conclusion (and told his 
friends) that a big stone, hurled into the air at that 
time, had descended on his head and felled him. 
Whether the “friends’’ believed this or not we 
cannot say, but certain it is that they covertly 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 337 

rejoiced in the accident, for naturally the man of 
blood was no favourite ! 

As might be supposed, soldiers were at once 
despatched all over the country in search of the 
fugitive; and the Queen, relapsing into one of her 
dark fits of cruelty, began to persecute the Chris- 
tians more severely than ever. Still, Mark Breezy 
strove to infiuence her towards mercy, and in some 
measure restrained her. 

Meanwhile Eavonino and his party pushed on in 
hot haste towards their place of refuge in the wild 
forest. 

The dangers to which they were exposed and the 
risks they ran on this adventurous journey were too 
numerous to be related in detail. We can only 
touch on a few of them here. 

Laihova, it may be mentioned in passing, failed to 
join them, certainly not from want of will, but 
because the place where he had concealed himself 
was discovered while he lay awaiting the signal to 
join his friends. Two female relations who knew of 
his hiding-place were caught, convicted, if we may 
so put it, of Christianity ! and put to the torture. 
Although true-hearted, these poor girls were so 
agonised by suffering and terror that, in a moment 
of weakness, they disclosed the secret. But even 
among prison authorities there were found followers 
of Jesus— secretly, however, for fear of the tyrant 
Y 


338 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Queen — and one of these sent a swift messenger to 
Laihova to warn him. Had the youth been an 
ordinary man the warning would have been too late, 
for close on the heels of the messenger came the 
soldiers with his death-warrant. But Laihova was 
gifted with cool courage and unusual speed of foot. 
Trust, also, in the certainty of God’s blessing, whether 
life or death should be his portion, filled him with 
that spirit of enthusiastic energy which goes so far, 
in all circumstances of life, to ensure success. He 
soon distanced his pursuers, left them out of sight 
behind, and, finally, found refuge with a Christian 
friend, who hid him over an oven in his house when 
he had reached the last stage of exhaustion from 
hard running, and could not have advanced further 
without rest. The soldiers came up and searched 
the house while he was asleep, but happily did not 
observe the oven ! They remained there, however, 
over the night, and thus rendered it impossible for 
Laihova to join his friends at that time. 

Eavonino could not, of course, afford to delay. 
Knowing also that his young friend was well able 
to take care of himself, and that his soul’s anchor 
was the Lord, he felt comparatively little anxiety 
in starting without him. 

To let Eafaravavy have female companionship on 
the hazardous journey, her lover induced a Christian 
girl who had been named Sarah to accompany them. 


THE TYRA.NT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


339 


This faithful creature was the means of saving their 
lives more than once by giving timely warning of 
approaching danger. 

The first place to which the fugitives directed 
their steps was a village about fifty miles from the 
capital, where dwelt a Christian who, with his wife, 
offered them hospitality and protection. This man 
had sent a noble message to the persecuted ones in 
the city. It ran thus : — “ Let all the Christians 
who are compelled to run away for their lives come 
to me. I will take care of them. As long as I am 
safe they are safe, and as long as I have food they 
shall share it.” 

Not an hour's rest was taken until the house of 
their friend was reached. Of course they were 
received with open arms. Food was placed before 
them, and mats were spread in a safe place on which 
they might rest. But neither food nor repose would 
the fugitives take until they had joined the Chris- 
tian family in thanking God for their escape and 
in singing His praise. 

Sing the hymn of dear Eamanisa,” said Eavonino 
as he seated himself at the side of Eafaravavy, after 
arranging her mat. 

The host smiled as he turned over the leaves of a 
Malagasy hymn-book. “ All the fugitives like that 
hymn,” he said. 

“ Do you wonder ? ” returned his guest. Before 


340 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


the last great persecution he was one of our most 
faithful preachers of the Gospel, and when trouble 
came he always forgot himself in his eager desire to 
help and comfort others. Many a time has he 
guided and strengthened the Lord’s people when 
they have been compelled to fly, — to travel weary 
and footsore by night, to wander in the dark forests, 
and hide in the gloomy caves. Wherever he went 
there was sunshine, because his heart was very full 
of the love of Jesus ; and when he was Jed out to be 
speared^ was he not faithful to the last ? Perhaps 
we may be permitted to sing his own hymn along 
with him some day before the throne. No wonder 
that we love the words of Eamanisa. They called 
him Josiah when he was baptized, but he was Eama- 
nisa when the Lord called him, and I think that 
is the name that is written in the Book of Life.” 

The hymn composed by this good native, which 
these Christians began to sing — and which is in- 
corporated, as we have said, in the Malagasy hymn- 
book, — is still, and will doubtless continue to be, a 
great favourite with the Christians of Madagascar. 
The following is a translation of three of the verses.^ 

“ Loud to the Lord your voices raise, 

Extol His name, exalt His praise ; 

Publish the wonders of His hand 
O’er all the earth, in every land. 

1 Extracted from Madagascar, its Missions and Martyrs, by E. 
Prout, for the Loudon Missionary Society. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 341 

“ Oh ! God, our God, to Thee we cry, 

J esus, the Saviour, be Thou nigh ; 

Oh ! sacred Spirit, hear our prayer. 

And save the afflicted from despair, 

“ Scarce can we find a place of rest. 

Save dens and caves, with hunger press’d ; 

Yet Thy compassion is our bliss. 

Pilgrims amidst a wilderness.” 

Poor Eafaravavy had full .proof of the truth em- 
bodied in these lines, both as to the* affliction and 
the bliss, before many-days were over. The soldiers 
being strong hardy men, burdened only with their 
arms, and with little clothing, pushed after the three 
fugitives with so much vigour that they arrived at 
the place where the latter had rested on the second 
day of their flight. While soldiers were thus close 
to them the utmost caution and close concealment 
were necessary. They remained where they were, 
therefore, and every morning, before dawn, Eavonino 
stole out to a neighbouring mountain with Eafara- 
vavy and her maid. There they lay hid among the 
craggy rocks until nightfall, when they returned to 
their friend’s house. 

But soon this place of concealment became known 
to the persecuting prime minister, Eainiharo, who 
directed the soldiers to search the mountain before 
going to the village. This they did, but did not find 
the fugitives, for, as it was cold that morning, they 
had agreed to run the risk of remaining in the house ! 


342 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Failing to find those they sought for in the 
mountain, the soldiers entered the village and 
approached the house where they lay unperceived 
by human eye, and it seemed as if at last Eafara- 
vavy’s doom was sealed. Other , eyes, however, — 
very black and sharp ones^observed the enemy, and 
the owners of these eyes^a fiock of crows — rose in 
alarm at their approach. 

“ Oh ! ” exclaimed the handmaiden, Sarah, “ the 
crows are at the rice I spread out to dry ! ” and out 
she ran to rescue it. One glimpse of the soldiers 
was enough. Sarah was equal to the occasion. 
Without even a backward glance she gave warning 
to those in the house, but cleverly continued her 
raid upon the crows, laughingly asking the men 
when she passed them “ if they had come there to 
search for run-away Christians ! ” 

“ This way,” whispered the host to his two guests 
when the warning reached him. Leading them to 
an inner room he made them creep under a bed and 
covered them with a mat. As for the chair-bearers 
and their burden, such adjuncts to Malagasy travel 
were too numerous and common in the land to 
attract much attention. Fortunately the soldiers 
were hungry, and, being eager for food, did not 
search the house with care, but during their stay of 
an hour poor Eafaravavy heard all they said respect- 
ing her and the orders that had been issued for-her 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 343 

arrest and death. At the same time Eavonino 
became aware that his presence in the neighbour- 
hood was known, though his complicity in the 
abduction of his companion in distress, he fancied, 
had not been suspected. 

That night the fugitives resumed their journey 
and travelled till dawn, when they again found safe 
refuge in the house of a sympathising friend. Thus 
they proceeded for several days and nights with the 
utmost caution, for, wherever they went it was 
found that soldiers had been sent out in pursuit. 

One night they approached a village where they 
knew they would be kindly received, but had 
scarcely reached it when they learned that a party 
of soldiers were searching the neighbourhood for 
some other woman who had recently disappeared- 
They were compelled, therefore, to return to the 
place they had left the day before. From this point 
they changed their intended route, partly to throw 
the pursuers off the scent, if possible, and partly to 
seek temporary refuge at the house of an old woman 
who was an aunt of Sarah. 

She ’s a real good Christian,” said Sarah, when 
advising the visit," “ and she fears no one but God. 
If they ever kill my old aunt she will die singing, 
or praying for her murderers.” 

Sure enough, when they reached the hut of the 
old woman, they heard her singing hymns at the 


344 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


full pitch of her voice, quite -regardless of the fact 
that she was breaking the law and that persecutors 
were swarming in the land. 

“ Shelter you ! ” exclaimed this old woman, when 
her niece had mentioned the cause of their visit, 
“yes, I will shelter you as long as my dear Lord 
gives me the power to do so.” 

The need for friendly aid was great, for, even 
while the old woman spoke, a little girl came bound- 
ing into the hut saying that a party of soldiers were 
approaching. 

“ Eun ! meet them, child. Then turn and run 
away as if you were afraid of them. Make them 
chase you if you can. Eun ! ” 

The girl was intelligent. She bounded away, 
and the old woman, with a degree of activity that 
was wonderful at her age, led her visitors to the back 
of her house and hid them in pit. There they had 
to spend that night while the aunt entertained their 
pursuers, but next morning, after the latter had left, 
their old hostess led them to a plantation close at 
hand, where they remained concealed for several 
days, not daring to move, for, at various times, they 
saw men who were in pursuit of them pass quite 
near to their hiding-place. 

Here it was decided that the palanquin, or chair- 
bearers, should proceed no further, as they only in- 
creased the danger of discovery, and that Eavonino, 




HIDING IX A SWAMP. — Page 345 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


345 


Eafaravavy, and Sarah should proceed alone and on 
foot through the extensive forest which lay just 
beyond the place. 

The first night all went well. The moon was 
clear enough to make travelling easy, and no enemies 
were encountered, but the next evening, a little 
after sunset, on gaining the crest of a hill, they 
met almost face to face a small band of soldiers who 
were travelling in the opposite direction. 

To crouch behind some rocks was the work of an 
instant. There was no thick underwood at the spot 
to conceal them. As Eavonino glanced quickly 
round, he saw that the only hope was to turn and 
run. They evidently had not been perceived, but 
what probability was there that the two trembling 
girls beside him could escape by such means ? 

We must fly, dear one,” he said, in desperation, 
putting his arm round Eafaravavy ’s waist. 

“ I. cannot run,” she said, while a look of resigna- 
tion settled on her face. “Go, you may escape, 
perhaps, if the Lord will, and bring us help. Leave 
us, we are ready to die.” 

“ Leave you, Eafaravavy ! ” exclaimed the man, 
with a look almost of triumph. “No — not until 
my God commands. May He. help us now ! ” 

While he spoke he observed a patch of rushes 
growing at the side of the path. As a last resource 
he ran in among them, leading or rather dragging 


346 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


the two girls. To their joy they found that the 
rushes grew in a pool of water. It was very 
shallow, but by lying down and sinking themselves 
into the mud of the deepest part they managed to 
cover themselves completely, except their heads, 
which the rushes effectually concealed. 

A few minutes later and the soldiers, reaching the 
crest of the hill, halted to look round and chat. If 
it had been broad day at the time the fugitives must 
undoubtedly have been observed, but it was growing 
dark. For a few terrible minutes the men conversed 
— always on the same- theme — the -capture and 
death of ^Eafaravavy ! Then they resumed their 
march and disappeared among the forest trees. 

It was a -deplorable- plight in which the fugitives 
now found themselves. Soaking wet, covered with 
mud from their necks downwards, and without the 
prospect of any shelter for the coming night save 
that afforded by the open forest. Poor Sarah lost 
heart entirely for a little time and burst into tears, 
but Eafaravavy, putting her hand on the maid’s 
shoulder, said encouragingly, “ ' The Lord reigneth. 
We will not fear what man can do unto us.’ Will 
you pray for us ? ” she added, turning to their pro- 
tector. 

Eavonino at once kneeled ; the two girls sank down 
beside him, and in few but earnest, simple words he 
prayed for help in the all-prevailing name of Jesus. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 347 

The vigour of body which flowed from the prayer 
was no fanciful emotion or miraculous effect. The 
confidence resulting from faith in God, and the joy 
of soul and consequent flow of warm blood, were 
not less natural consequences of prayer than direct 
answers to it would have been. They rose from 
their knees refreshed, and walked on with renewed 
energy for a considerable time ; but at last Eafara- 
vavy was fairly overcome with fatigue, and an 
irresistible desire to sleep. Her maid, being of a 
more robust physical fibre, was not so much over- 
come, and declared that she could still go on easily. 

Eavonino at last solved the difficulty by taking 
his lady-love in his strong arms. She submitted 
with a sleepy protest, and her little head was no 
sooner on the man’s shoulder than she was fast asleep. 

And here again the power of joy to give strength 
became abundantly evident, for when he fairly had 
Eafaravavy in his arms, a glow of enthusiasm and 
thankfulness pervaded his entire being, so that he 
felt as if he had scarcely walked any distance at all 
that day ! His endurance, however, was not destined 
to be further tested that night, for he had not gone 
far when he came unexpectedly on the hut of a 
wood-cutter, who received him hospitably, though, 
being taciturn, it was not easy to ascertain what 
were his views as to the religion for which so many 
people were then suffering. 


348 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Strange to say, during all this trying time, these 
fugitives found comfort not only from the Word of 
God, but from the PilgrirrCs Progress of Bunyan ! 
This work had been translated into the Malagasy 
language by the English missionaries, and many 
passages in it were found to be singularly appropriate 
to and comforting in the circumstances in which 
the persecuted people were placed. Eight copies of 
the great allegory had been transcribed by the native 
Christians themselves for their common use. These 
being lent from one household to another the details 
of the story soon spread. Naturally those who 
possessed strong memories learned much of it by 
heart, and thus it became a book which the afflicted 
Christians prized next to the Bible. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


349 


CHAPTEE XXV. 

THE FOREST REFUGE— VOALAVO IS WARLIKE, RAVONINO PEACEFUL, 
AND FALSE FRIENDS DANGEROUS. 

We change the scene, now, to the profoundest 
recesses of the tangled forest. Here, in the deep 
shadow cast by the overarching trees, two native 
girls wandered out at an early hour one morning 
to converse about things that interested them deeply 
— if the varying aspects of their expressive faces 
were any index to their thoughts. One was tall, 
dark, majestic in mien and grave of countenance. 
The other was comparatively fair, of small stature, 
and evidently of lively yet timid disposition. Need 
we say that they were^Eamatoa, the sister of Laihova, 
and Ea-Euth, the sister of-Eavonino ? 

“I fear they will never. return to us,” said 
Ea-Euth, laying her hand on her friend’s arm. 

*‘Say not so,” replied Eamatoa, “we know not 
what blessings our God has in store for us. Only 
this we are sure of, that all things will work together 
for our good.” 

“ But the Queen is so cruel ! ” objected her little 


350 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


friend. “When her anger is roused she will do 
anything. Besides, has not the messenger told us 
that the soldiers have been sent in hundreds over the 
country to search for Christians, and spies are about 
everywhere. Laihova, too, has been separated from 
them, he says. Perhaps he has been caught. 

“ I like not this messenger,” said the other, with a 
touch of sternness in her look and tone. “ He seems 
to me like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He does not 
refer all things to God as ‘ Our Father,’ and in his 
use of the Word he does not' seem sincere. I 
trust that he is not one of the spies.” 

As she spoke her companion uttered a quick 
exclamation. There was a rustling in the bushes, 
and next moment, Laihova, springing out, clasped 
Ea-Kuth in his arms. 

“ Thank God,” he said, in deep earnest tones, as 
he released her. “ I am not too late ! ” 

“ Brother,” said Eamatoa, anxiously, laying a hand 
on the man’s arm, “ are you alone ? ” 

“Yes. Have not Eavoninohitriniony and Eafar- 
avavy arrived ? ” 

“ No. And — and what of Mamba ? ” asked 
Eamatoa. 

An expression of profound sadness crossed the 
features of Laihova. Dropping his eyes on the 
ground he stood silent. For a few moments his 
sister did not speak, but her breast heaved with 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 351 

suppressed, emotion. At last she asked in a low 
voice — 

“ Has he been martyred ? 

“ No — he is not dead. But — he is condemned to 
slavery in chains for life.” 

Terrible though this fate was, the news of it 
evidently conveyed a measure of relief to Eamatoa, 
for it assured her that her lover was at all events not 
dead. Where there is life there is hope ! 

“ I fear this will kill his mother,” she said. “ Poor 
Eeni-Mamba is so full of love and gentleness, and 
her sorrows have been very heavy. Strange that 
her husband and son should share the same fate 
— perpetual slavery! Yet it is not - perpetual. 
Death will set them free. Come to the cave and 
let us break the sad news.” 

As they walked through the forest Eamatoa gave 
her brother a rapid outline of what had occurred 
since the day he left. 

“ They will be deeply grieved,” she said, “ that our 
friends are not with you. We had all hoped that 
you would arrive together. A messenger who has 
just come did indeed tell us that you had been 
separated from them, but all supposed that you 
would easily overtake them.” 

“True, sister, but I overshot them. That has 
been the way of it,” returned Laihova, regretfully. 

“ Stilly I feel sure that they will escape,” continued 


352 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


the girl, Eavoninohitriniony has such a firm trust 
in God, and he is so strong and brave and wise. 
Besides, he has the blood of the white man in 
his veins — he will succeed or die ! ” 

This compliment to her brother, whether deserved 
or not, had the effect of raising a flush of pleasure on 
Ea-Euth’s little face. 

“ Many things have happened since you left us,” 
resumed Eamatoa. “ Eazafil, the poet, has come to 
stay with us, and Voalavo too.” 

“ Voalavo ! ” exclaimed Laihova in surprise, "‘is he 
nob the chief of a tribe that does not love Jesus ? 
And he was not a Christian when I saw him last.” 

“ He is a Christian now I' returned the girl, quietly, 
“if I may judge him by his works. He has been 
our main stay since you went away. Not long after 
you left us he came, saying that you had told 
him about Jesus delivering men from the power of 
sin, and he wanted to know about Him. You may 
be sure we were glad to tell him all we knew. He 
has never said he is a Christian, but he has stayed 
with us ever since, and hunted for us. He is as 
active as the youngest men in getting and bringing 
in wild fruits, and the youths are glad to have his 
wisdom and advice. He listens to us while we sing, 
and he prays in secret — I know that he does, for 
I have overheard him. Moreover, he has brought 
some of his people over to our side. He seems to be 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


353 


particularly fond of Eeni- Mamba, and she is fond of 
him — for he is funny.” 

“ Yes ; he is very funny,” responded Laihova, with 
profound gravity. 

On reaching the cavern which we have described 
in a former chapter, they found that most of the 
men were out, and the women were busy with those 
culinary labours which tend to rejoice the hearts 
of hunters when they return home. 

The chief, -Voalavo, was there, however, deeply 
engaged in studying — yes, >studying-v-5^e Pilgrim’s 
Progress / But he could not make - much of it, 
his education — at the hands of .Ea-Kuth — having 
commenced only a few weeks before. Besides 
teaching the chief his letters, Ea-Euth had read to 
him large portions of the book, which had so 
fascinated him that he had applied himself to his 
letters with a will, and, being an able man, had begun 
to make rapid progress. His desire, also, to be able 
to read the Bible — when he began to understand 
what it was, and to perceive the significance of some 
of its soul-stirring words — stimulated his active 
mind to greater exertions. 

The unfortunate poet, Eazafil, also fell in with the 
wonderful allegory in that cave for the first time, and 
it helped in no small degree to turn his mind from 
brooding over the fate of his dear martyred^ daughter 
Eaniva. His mind was quicker than that of the 
z 


354 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


chief to perceive the grand truths which underlie 
the story, and he was not a little comforted. Thus 
these two men, so very differently constituted, sat 
at the feet of the fair Ra-Euth, who being, as we 
have said, timid and rather distrustful of herself, 
was overjoyed to find that even she could help in 
advancing the cause of her Lord. 

But it rather perplexed the little maiden when 
these same men, having been gifted with inquiring 
minds, puzzled themselves over the question why 
the Prince of the country in the Pilgrim's Progress 
did not kill Apollyon at once and have done with 
him. 

‘‘ Or make him good,” suggested Voalavo. 

“ True, that would have been better, perhaps, than 
killing him,” assented Eazafil. 

Like millions of the human race before them, the 
two men got out of their depth here ; but unlike too 
many thousands of the same race, they did not per- 
mit such difficulties to interfere with their unshaken 
confidence in the love and wisdom of that God, who 
certainly “ doeth all things well,” whatever we in 
our pride and partial ignorance may think of Him. 

Voalavo’s studies on the day we write of did not 
however engross him so much as to prevent his 
starting up in great excitement when he heard the 
sound of Laihova’s voice. He hastened to the 
entrance of the cavern, and received his friend with 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 355 

his wonted effusive heartiness. But he was damped 
considerably on learning that Laihova came alone, 
that Mamba was enslaved, and that Eavonino and 
Eafaravavy were still wandering in the forest, pur- 
sued by their enemies. 

“ Come, my young men ! ” he shouted, flying into 
a sudden state of indignation, and clapping his hands 
together like a pistol-shot, “we will go and rouse 
our warriors. Arm, and maka to the rescue ! We 
will dethrone the Queen — this Eanavalona — usurper! 
Why should such a woman live on, filling the land 
with blood and misery ! ” 

“ My friend,” said Laihova, in a soothing tone, as 
he laid his hand on the chiefs shoulder, “ the arms 
of Christians are not the arms of a soldier. We 
wrestle not against flesh and blood.” 

“That is idle talk,” exclaimed the unpacified 
chief. “ Did not Christian use a sword ? Did not 
Greatheart fight Apollyon with a sword ? ” 

“True, but these were spiritual weapons,” said 
Laihova. “ Moreover, if you did rouse your people 
and march to the capital, what could you do ? Your 
whole tribe would appear but as a handful of dust 
in the eyes of the Hova army.” 

“ I would that we were a handful of dust ! ” snorted 
the chief, “ and we ’d dash ourselves into the eyes of 
the Hova army and kill them while they wept ! ” 

“ But there is nothing to prevent us from going 


356 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


forth to meet our friends/’ rejoined Laihova, and 
we can take our spears. If they stand in need of 
help we may give it.” 

This proposition fell in entirely with the warlike 
Voalavo’s views, and, a band of the young hunters 
and fruit-gatherers entering the cave at that moment, 
he urged them to make haste with their dinner and 
get ready for the war-path. 

Ever ready — as young blades usually are — for 
fighting, these youths threw down their loads 
quickly. 

And, truly, judging from the contents of the 
cavern larder that day, there was no prospect of 
famine before the persecuted people. In one part 
of that larder there was abundance of beef and pork, 
also of game, such as guinea-fowl, pheasants, part- 
ridges, peacocks, turkeys, geese, ducks, pigeons, 
turtle-doves, and snipe. In another place the 
vegetable and fruit-gatherers had piled up little 
mounds of bread-fruit, pine-apples, cocoa-nuts, yams, 
plantains, bananas, manioc-root, melons, etc., much 
of which had been gathered from regions at a con- 
siderable distance from their place of abode. Thus 
they had laid up store'^for many days, and felt some- 
what elated. 

But there were two hearts there which found it 
impossible to rejoice, and very hard to submit to 
God. Keni and Eamatoa retired to a dark recess in 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


357 


the cave, and mingled their tears and prayers 
together. 

Oh ! it would have been better if he had died ! ” 
sobbed Eeni, “ for then he would have been with 
Jesus ; but now it is awful to think of the life-long 
slavery ; and we shall never more see him on earth.” 

“Nay, mother, do not think thus. Whatever 
God does must be best,” returned Eamatoa in a 
tremulous voice. “Let us try to say 'Thy will 
be 

She broke down and finished the sentence with 
prayer for strength and for a submissive spirit. 

Meanwhile the war-like expedition, on which 
Voalavo and his youths were only too ready to enter 
was rendered needless by the sudden appearance of 
Eavonino himself, with Eafaravavy and Sarah ! 
After encountering innumerable hardships and 
dangers those -three had at last arrived at their 
forest stronghold in safety. 

“ So then,” remarked Laihova to Ea-Euth, after* 
the first enthusiastic reception was over, “ I have 
only over-shot them by a few hours after all ! ” 

“ We were just going to sally forth to look for 
you — and fight if need be,” said Voalavo. 

“ There was no need for that,” returned Eavonino, 
“ the Lord was our protector.” 

“Where is Eeni-Mamba? Have you heard, 
mother, about your son ? ” 


358 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Eeni and Eamatoa, who had pressed forward, 
looked surprised, for their friend did not speak like 
a man who had had news to tell. 

“ Laihova has told me, truly,” replied Eeni, still 
whimpering, “ that my dear boy is worse than dead.” 

“ Not so, mother,” said Eavonino, taking the poor 
woman’s hand, “be of good cheer; Mamba is not 
dead. I know not indeed where he is at this 
moment, having been pressed in my own flight, but 
I know that the Queen has set him free — this much 
I learned from our white friend, Mark Breezy. 
More I cannot tell, but is not this cause for joy and 
gratitude? Come, let us return thanks to our 
Father.” 

Most of those present were glad to give vent to 
their feelings in prayer and praise, though some 
there were who, having been led to join the band by 
the mere force of circumstances, had little heart in 
the matter. Certainly Voalavo was not among these 
last, for the enthusiasm which inclined him to fight 
with violence also induced him to pray with vigour. 

When this appropriate act of worship was over, 
food was prepared for the wearied travellers, and in 
a short time the whole party was seated round the 
cooking-fire, illuminated by the torches on the wall, 
and listening eagerly to Eavonino as he recounted 
his adventures. 

“ I fear much,” he said in conclusion, “ that another 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 359 

dark season is about to fall on us. It may be like 
the last~or worse.” 

Eavonino here referred (and with bated breath) 
to the terrible outbreak of persecution which had 
occurred several years previously, when, at the lowest 
estimate, about two thousand men and women were 
severely punished, and many tortured and slain, 
becaused they professed or favoured the religion of 
Jesus. 

As, one after another, various members of the 
party detailed the sad sufferings or deaths of relatives 
and friends, the feelings of all became deeply affected 
with grief, those of some with a considerable dash 
also of indignation. Among the latter of course was 
Voalavo. 

“ Why,” he^ cried suddenly, giving his hands the 
accustomed pistol-shot clap that betrayed his 
inability to contain himself, why do we suffer aU 
this ? Why not . assemble the tribes, go up at once 
to -Antananarivo, take it, cut off the Queen’s head, 
and put Prince Eakota on the throne ? ” 

“ Ay, why not ? ” demanded several of the more 
fiery young men. 

“ Because the Lord tells us to overcome evil with 
good,” answered Eavonino,, quietly. Then, wishing 
to draw attention from the subject, he inquired for 
the messenger who had brought news of his own 
escape. 


360 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


All looked round as if expecting the man to 
answer for himself, but no one replied. 

Search was made, and then it was discovered that 
the messenger had hastily taken his departure from 
the place. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


361 


CHAPTEE XXVL 

DB. BREEZY PRESCRIBES FOR THE QUEEN, AND ATTAINS TO 
TEMPORARY AND “ PEBFIK F’LICITY.” 

While these events were taking place in the 
forest, Queen Eanavalona was keeping her Court 
Physician and his comrades in a state of consider- 
able uneasiness, not only with reference to the 
safety of their own heads, but because of her violent 
edicts regarding her Christian subjects. 

She renewed her commands as to the necessity 
of every one coming forward, on pain of instant 
death in the event of disobedience, and accusing 
themselves, with the reiterated assurance that if 
they failed to comply and they were afterwards 
accused by others they should be subjected to the 
ordeal of the Tangena, and slain or reduced to per- 
petual slavery if found guilty. 

The whole city was in a panic. Xo one felt safe. 
Under the influence of fear some accused them- 
selves, expecting, no doubt, that their punishment 
would ba lightened. Others remained quiet, hoping 


362 


THE FUGITIVES, OE 


that they might escape. detection, while many were 
accused by false friends as well as by enemies, and 
fell victims under the poison ordeal. Others, again, 
stood firm, and boldly proclaimed their faith in the 
Lord Jesus and their readiness to die if need be for 
His cause. 

After the accusations, trials, and investigations, 
sentences were read which deprived^ four hundred 
officers and nobles of their honours, and levied fines 
on the remainder to the number of about two 
thousand. One would have thought that the mere 
necessity for such widespread punishment would 
have shown the Queen how deeply the new religion 
had taken root, and how hopeless it was to attempt 
its suppression, but she did not see it in that light. 
On the contrary, she issued a mandate requiring all 
books to be delivered up to her officers, and threaten- 
ing death against any who should keep back or hide 
even a single leaf. She also commanded her sub- 
jects never again even to “think of the Christian 
lessons they had learned, but to blot them from 
their memories for ever!” 

Among those who boldly held to their opinions 
was the Queen’s own son .Kakota, who,^ however, as 
we have seen, did not run quite so much risk as 
others, owing to his mother’s affection for him. The 
Prime Minister’s son, also, and Prince Eamonja, made 
no effort to conceal their opinions, though they were 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


363 


wise enough to refrain from exasperating the angry 
Queen by asserting them openly. 

One morning the Prime Minister sent a message 
to the Court Physician, requiring his immediate 
attendance at the palace. Mark was seated in his 
own room at the time, talking with Hockins and 
Ebony about the gloomy state of affairs. A slight 
feeling of dismay fluttered the heart of each when 
the message came, for death-warrants were much in 
the air at that time. 

“Oh, massa, pVaps dey’re a-goin’ to kill you!” 
was the negro’s comforting suggestion. 

“ More likely they want him to cure the Queen,” 
said Hockins. 

“ Couldn’t you, massa,” whispered Ebony, with a 
terribly solemn countenance, “mix a spoonful — a 
bery small spoonful — oh prussic acid, or creosote, or 
suffin ob dat sort, wid ’er physic ?” 

Mark laughed, and shook his head as he went out. 

He found Eainiharo, with a tremendous frown on 
his face and deep lines of care on his brow, seated 
in front of our friend the Secretary, who had an 
open book on his knee. Three other officers of the 
palace sat beside them. These constituted a court 
of inquiry into the contents of the suspected books, 
and the Secretary, being the only literary character 
among them, was the appointed reader. 

“ Come here. Sit down,” said Eainiharo, sternly 


364 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


pointing to a seat ; “ we want you to explain your 
books. The Queen commands us to examine them, 
and, if we find anything contrary to her wishes in 
them, to condemn them to the flames. But it seems 
to us that there is nothing in them but rubbish 
which we cannot understand.” 

Strange, is it not, that in barbaric as well as in 
civilised lands, people are apt to regard as rubbish 
that which they do not understand ? 

So thought the Court Physician, but he wisely 
held his tongue and sat down. 

"This book,” said the Prime Minister, pointing 
with a look of mingled contempt and exasperation to 
the volume on the Secretary’s knee, " is worse than 
the last. The one we condemned yesterday was 
what you call your Bible. We began with it because 
it was the biggest book. Being practical men we 
began at the beginning, intending to go straight 
through and give it a fair hearing. We began at 
Gen — Gen — what was it ?” 

“ Genesis,” answered the Secretary. 

“ Genzis — yes. Well, we found nothing to object 
to in the first verse, but in the second — the very 
second — we found the word ‘darkness.’ This was 
sufficient ! Queen Eanavalona does not like dark- 
ness, so we condemned it at once — unanimously — 
for we could not for a moment tolerate anything 
with darkness in it.” 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 365 

Mark felt an almost irresistible desire to laugh 
outright, but as the gratification of that desire might 
have cost him his head he did resist it successfully. 

“Now,” continued the Prime Minister, with a 
darker frown, “ we have got to the Pil — Pil — what 
is it?” 

''Pilgrim's Progress” answered the Secretary. 

“Just so — the Pilgim's Progess. Well, we agreed 
that we would give the Pil — Pilgim's Purgess a better 
chance, so we opened it, as it were, anyhow, and 
what do we come on — the very first thing — but a 
man named Obstinate ! Now, if there is one thing 
that the Queen hates more than another it is an 
obstinate man. She cannot abide obstinate men. 
In fact,, she has. none such about her, for the few 
men of that -sort that have turned up now and then 
have invariably lost their heads. But we wanted to 
be. fair, so we read on, and what do we find as one 
of the first things that Obstinate says? He says, 
‘ Tush ! away with your book !’ Now, if the man 
himself condemns the book, is our Queen likely to 
spare it ? But there are some things in the book 
which we cannot understand, so we have sent for 
you to explain it. Now,” added Eainiharo, turning 
to the Secretary, “ translate all that to the maker of 
physic and tell me what he has to answer.” 

It was a strange and difficult duty that our young 
student was thus unexpectedly and suddenly called 


366 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


to perform, and never before had he felt so deeply 
the difference between knowing a subject and ex- 
pounding it. There was no escape, however, from 
the situation. He was not only bound by fear of 
his life, but by Scripture itself, “ to give a reason of 
the hope that was in him,” and he rose to the 
occasion with vigour, praying, mentally, for guidance, 
and also blessing his mother for having subjected 
him in childhood — much against his will! — to a 
pretty stiff and systematic training in the truths of 
Scripture as well as in the story of the Pilgrim's 
Progress. 

But no exposition that he could give sufficed to 
affect the foregone conclusion that both the Bible 
and the Pilgrim, containing as they did matter that 
was offensive to the Queen, were worthy of con- 
demnation, and, therefore, doomed to the flames. 

Having settled this knotty point in a statesman- 
like manner, Eainiharo bade Mark and the Secretary 
remain with him, and dismissed his three colleagues. 

“ You see,” he said, after some moments of anxious 
thought, “ although I agree with the Queen in her 
desire to stamp out the Christian religion, I have 
no desire that my son and my nephew should be 
stamped out along with it ; therefore I wish to have 
your assistance, doctor, in turning the mind of 
Eanavalona away from persecution to some extent, 
for in her present mood she is dangerous alike to 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


367 


friend and foe. Indeed I would not give much for 
your, own life if she becomes more violent. How is 
this to be. done, think you ? ” 

The question was indeed a-puzzler, for it amounted 
to this — “ How are we to manage a furious, blood- 
thirsty woman with the reins loose on her neck and 
the bit fast in her teeth ? ” 

“ I know not,” said Mark at last, “ but I will 
think the matter over and talk with you again.” 

“ If I may be allowed to speak,” said the Secretary. 

“ You are allowed,” returned the Premier. 

“Then I would advise that the Queen should 
arrange a grand journey — a procession — all over the 
country, with thousands of her soldiers. This will 
let her have plenty of fresh air and exercise, change 
of scene, and excitement, and will give her something 
to do till her blood cools. At the same time it will 
show the people her great power and perhaps 
induce them to be cautious how they resist her 
will.” 

“ The idea is good,” said Mark, with animation, 
“ so good that I would advise its being carried out 
immediately — even before another week passes.” 

Eainiharo shook his head. “ Impossible. There 
is to be a great bull-fight this week, and you know 
Kanavalona will allow nothing to interfere with 
that. Besides, it takes time to get up such an 
expedition as you suggest. However, I like the 


368 THE FUGITIVES, OR 

notion well. Go. I will think over it and see yon 
again.” 

The bull-fighting to which the Premier referred 
was a favourite amusement with this blood-thirsty 
woman, and the spectacle usually took place in the 
royal court-yard. Eainiharo was right when he said 
the Queen would not forego it, hut she was so pleased 
with the plan of a royal progress through the country 
that she gave orders to make ready for it at once on 
an extensive scale. 

“ You will of course accompany me,” she said to 
Mark, when he was summoned to a subsequent 
audience, “I may be ill, or my bearers may fall and 
I may be injured.” 

“ Certainly,” he replied, “ nothing would afford the 
Court Physician greater pleasure than to attend upon 
her Majesty on such an expedition. But I would 
ask a favour,” continued Mark. “May my black 
servant accompany me? He is very useful in 
assisting me with my medicines, and ” 

“ Yes, yes,” interrupted the Queen, “ let him go 
with you by all means. He shall have bearers if 
you choose. And take yon other man also — with 
his music. I love his little pipe ! ” 

In some excitement Mark went off to tell his 
comrades the news — which Hockins received with a 
grunt of satisfaction, and the negro with a burst of 
joy. Indeed the anxieties and worries they had 


THE TYRANT' QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 369 

recently experienced in the city, coupled with the 
tyranny and bloodshed which they witnessed, had 
so depressed the three friends that the mere idea of 
getting once , again into the fresh free open plains 
and forests afforded them pleasure somewhat akin 
to that of the schoolboy when he obtains an un- 
expected holiday. 

Great was the excitement all over the country 
when the Queen’s intention was made known. The 
idea was not indeed a novelty. Malagasy sovereigns 
had been in the habit of making such progresses 
from time to time in former years. The wise King 
Eadama i. frequently went on hunting expeditions 
with more or less of display. But knowing as 
they did, only too well, the cruel character of Eana- 
valona i., the people feared that the desire to terrify 
and suppress had more to do with the event than 
pleasure or health. 

At last, everything being complete, the Queen 
left the capital, and directed her course to the 
south-westward. Her enormous retinue consisted 
of the members of the Government, the princi- 
pal military and civil officers and their wives, six 
thousand soldiers, and a host of slaves, bearers, 
and other attendants ; the whole numbering about 
40,000 souls. 

Great preparations had been made for the journey 
in the way of providing large stores of rice, herds of 
2 a 


370 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


cattle, and other provisions, but those who knew the 
difficulties of the proposed route, and the thinly 
populated character of the country, looked with con- 
siderable apprehension on the prospects of the 
journey. Some there were, no doubt, who regarded 
these prospects with a lively hope that the Queen 
might never more return to her capital ! 

Of course such a multitude travelled very slowly, 
as may w^ell be believed when it is said that they had 
about 1500 palanquins in the host, for there was not 
a w’heeled vehicle in Madagascar at that time. The 
soldiers were formed in five divisions ; one carrying 
the tents, one the cooking apparatus and spears, and 
one the guns and sleeping-mats. The other two 
had always to be in readiness for any service 
required about the Queen. The camp was divided 
into four parts ; the Queen being in the middle, in 
a blue tent, surrounded, wherever she halted for the 
night, by high palisades, and near to this was 
pitched a tent containing the idols of the royal 
family. The tent of the Prime Minister, with the 
Malagasy flag, was pitched to the north of that of 
the Queen. East, west, and south, were occupied by 
other high officers of State, and among the latter was 
the tent of our friends, Mark, Hockins, and Ebony. 

“ Now,” said the first of these, as he sat in the 
door of the tent one evening after supper, watching 
the rich glow of sunshine that flooded a wide stretch 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


371 


of beautiful country in front of him, “ this would be 
perfect felicity if only we had freedom to move 
about at our own pleasure and hunt up the trea- 
sures in botany, entomology, etc., that are scattered 
around us.” 

“True, Massa,” returned Ebony, “it would be 
perfik fjjicity if we could forgit de poor Christens in 
chains an’ pris’ns.” 

“ Eight, Ebony, right. I am selfishly thinking 
only of myself at the present moment. But let us 
hope we may manage to do these poor Christians 
good before we leave the land.” 

“ I don’t think, myself, that we ’ll get much fun 
out o’ this trip,” remarked Hockins. “ You see the 
Queen’s too fond o’ your physickin’ and of my too- 
tootlin’ to part with us even for a day at a time. If 
we was like Ebony, now, we might go where we 
liked an’ no one ud care.” 

“ Ob course not,” replied the negro^ promptly, 
“ peepil’s nebber anxious about whan wise men goes 
to; it’s on’y child’in an’ stoopid folk dey’s got to 
tink about. But why not ax de Queen, massa, for 
leabe ob absence to go a-huntin’ ? ” 

“ Because she ’d -be sure to refuse,” said Mark. 
“No, I see no way out of this difficulty. We are too 
useful to be spared ! ” 

But Mark was wrong. That very night he was 
sent for by the Prime Minister, and as he passed 


372 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


the Secretary’s tent he called him out to act as 
interpreter. On reaching the tent on the north side 
they found Eainiharo doubled up on his mat and 
groaning in agony. 

“ What ’s wrong ? ” demanded the doctor. 

“ Everything ! ” replied the patient. 

“ Describe your feelings,” said the doctor. 

“ I ’ve — I ’ve got a red-hot stone,” groaned Kaini- 
haro, “ somewhere in my inwards ! Thorny shrubs 
are revolving in my stomach ! Young crocodiles 
are masticating my — oh ! ” 

At this point his power of description failed ; but 
that matters little, for, never having met with the 
disease before, we can neither describe it nor give it 
a name. The young doctor did not know it, but he 
knew exactly what to do, and did it. We cannot 
report what he did, but we can state the result, 
which was great relief in a few minutes and a per- 
fect cure before morning ! Most men are grateful 
under such circumstances — even the cruel Eainiharo 
was so. 

“ What can I do for you ? ” he asked, affection- 
ately, next day. 

A sudden inspiration seized the doctor. “ Beg the 
Queen,” he said, “ to let me and my two friends 
wander round the host all day, and every day, for a 
short time, and I will return to report myself each 
night.” 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 373 

** For what purpose ? ” asked the Premier, in some 
surprise. 

“ To pluck plants and catch butterflies.” 

" Is the young doctor anxious to renew his child- 
hood 1 ” 

“ Something of the sort, no doubt. But there 
is medicine in the plants, and — and — interest, if 
nothing else, in the butterflies.” 

“ Medicine in the plants ” was a sufficient explana- 
tion to the Premier. What he said to the Queen 
we know not, but he quickly returned with the 
required permission, and Mark went to his couch 
that night in a state of what Ebony styled “ perfik 
flicity.” 

Behold our trio, then, once more alone in the 
great forests of Madagascar — at least almost alone, 
for the Secretary was with them, for the double 
purpose of gaining instruction and seeing that the 
strangers did not lose themselves. As they were 
able to move about twice as fast as the host, they 
could wander around, here, there, and everywhere, 
or rest at pleasure without fear of being left behind. 


374 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


CHAPTEE XXVIL 

IN WHICH A HAPPY CHANGK FOB THE BETTER IS DISASTROUSLY 
INTERRUPTED. 

One very sultry forenoon Mark and his party — 
while out botanising, entomologising, philosophising, 
etc., not far from but out of sight of the great 
procession — came to the brow of a hill and sat down 
to rest. 

Their appearance had become somewhat curious 
and brigand-like by that time, for their original 
garments having been worn out were partially 
replaced by means of the scissors and needle of John 
Hockins — at least in the trousers department. That 
worthy seaman having, during his travels, torn his 
original trousers to shreds from the knee downwards, 
had procured some stout canvas in the capital and 
made for himself another pair. He was, like most 
sailors, expert at tailoring, and the result was so 
good that Mark and Ebony became envious. The 
seaman was obliging. He set to work and made a 
pair of nether garments for both. Mark wore his 
pair stuffed into the legs of a pair of Wellington 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 375 

boots procured from a trader. Ebony preferred to 
cut his off short, just below the knee, thus exposing 
to view those black boots supplied to negroes by 
Nature, which have the advantage of never wearing 
out. Hockins himself stuck to his navy shirt, but 
the others found striped cotton shirts sufficient. 
A native straw hat on Mark’s head and a silk scarf 
round his waist, with a cavalry pistol in it, enhanced 
the brigand-like aspect of his costume. 

This pistol was their only firearm, the gun having 
been broken beyond repair, but each carried a spear 
in one hand, a gauze butterfly-net in the other, 
and a basket, in lieu of a specimen-box, on his 
shoulder. Even the Secretary, entering into the 
spirit of the thing, carried a net and pursued the 
butterflies with the ardour of a boy. 

“Oh! massa,” exclaimed Ebony, wiping the 
perspiration from his forehead with a bunch of 
grass, “ I do lub science I ” 

“ Indeed, why so ? ” asked Mark, sitting down on 
a bank opposite his friend. 

“ Why, don’t you see, massa, it *s not comfortabil 
for a man what ’s got any feelin’s to go troo de land 
huntin’ an’ killin’ cattle an’ oder brutes for noting. 
You can’t eat more nor one hox — p’r’aps not dat. 
So w’en you ’ve kill ’im an’ eaten so much as you 
can, dar’s no more fun, for what fun is dere in 
slaughterin’ boxes for noting ? Den, if you goes 


376 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


arter bees an' butterflies on’y for fun, w’y you git 
shamed ob yourself. On’y a chile do dat. But 
science, dat put ’im all right ! Away you goes arter 
de bees and buttei’flies an’ tings like mad — ober de 
hills an’ far away — troo de woods, across de ribbers — 
sometimes into ’em ! — crashin’ an’ smashin’ like de 
bull in de china-shop, wid de proud feelin’ bustin’ 
your buzzum dat you ’re advancin’ de noble cause 
ob science — dat ’s what you call ’im, ' noble ’ ? — 
yes. Well, den you come home done up, so pleasant 
like, an’ sot down an’ fix de critters up wid pins an’ 
gum an’ sitch-like, and arter dat you show ’em to 
your lamed friends an’ call ’em awrful hard names 
(sometimes dey seem like had names !), an’ — oh ! I 
do lub science ! It ’s wot I once heard a captin ob a 
ribber steamer in de States call a safety-balve wot 
lets off a deal o’ ’uman energy. He was a-sottin on 
his own safety-balve at de time, so he ought to have 
know’d sufftn about it.” 

I say, Ebony,” asked Hockins, “ where did you 
pick up so much lamin’ about science — eh ? ” 

“ I pick ’im in Texas — was ’sistant to a German 
nat’ralist dar for two year. Stuck to ’im like a 
limpit till he a-most busted hisself by tumblin’ 
into a swamp, smashin’ his spectacles, an’ ketchin’ 
fever, w’en he found hisself obleeged to go home to 
recroot — he called it — though what dat was I nebber 
rightly understood, unless it was drinkin’ brandy 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


377 


an’ water ; for I noticed that w’en he said he needed 
to recroot, he allers had a good stiff pull at de 
brandy bottle.” 

Ebony’s discourse was here cut short by the sud- 
den appearance of an enormous butterfly, which the 
excitable negro dashed after at a breakneck pace in 
the interests of science. The last glimpse they had 
of him, as he disappeared among the trees, was in 
a somewhat peculiar attitude, with his head down 
and his feet in the air ! 

“That’s a sign he has missed him,” remarked 
Hockins, beginning to fill his pipe — the tobacco, 
not the musical, one ! “ I’ve always observed that 
when Ebony becomes desperate, and knows he can’t 
git hold of the thing he ’s arter, he makes a reckless 
plunge, with a horrible yell, goes right down by the 
head, and disappears like a harpooned whale.” 

“True, but have you not also observed,” said 
Mark, “ that like the whale he ’s sure to come to 
the surface again — sooner or later — and generally 
with the object of pursuit in possession ? ” 

“ I b’lieve you ’re right, doctor,” said the seaman, 
emitting a prolonged puff of smoke. 

“ Does he always go mad like that ? ” asked the 
Secretary, who was much amused. 

“ Usually,” replied Mark, “ but he is generally 
madder than that. He’s in comparatively low 
spirits to-day. Perhaps it is the heat that affects 


378 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


him. Whew ! how hot it is ! I think I shall take 
a bath the first pool we come to.” 

“That would only make you hotter, sir,” said 
Hockins. “ I Ve often tried it. At first, no doubt, 
when you gits into the water it cools you, but arter 
you come out you git hotter than before. A hot 
bath is the thing to cool you comfortably.” 

“But we can’t get a hot bath here,” returned Mark. 

“ You are wrong,” said the Secretary, “ we have 
many natural hot springs in our land. There is 
one not far from here.” 

“ How far ? ” asked Mark with some interest. 

“ About two rice-cookings off.” 

To dispel the reader’s perplexity, we may explain 
at once that in Madagascar they measure distances 
by the time occupied in cooking a pot of rice. As 
that operation occupies about half -an -hour, the 
Secretary meant that the hot spring was distant 
about two half-hours — ix. between three and four 
miles off. 

“Let’s go an’ git into it at once,” suggested 
Hockins. 

“ Better wait for Ebony,” said Mark. Then — to 
the Secretary — “ Yours is a very interesting and 
wonderful country ! ” 

“ It is, and I wonder not that European nations 
wish to get possession of it— but that shall never be.” 

Mark replied, “I hope not,” and regarded his 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 379 

friend with some surprise, for he had spoken with 
emphasis, and evidently strong feeling. “ Have you 
fear that any of the nations wish to have your 
country ? ” 

“ Yes, we have fear,” returned the Secretary, with 
an unwontedly stern look. “ They have tried it 
before ; perhaps they will try it again. But they will 
fail. Has not God given us the land ? Has not He 
moved the hearts of Engleesh men to send to us the 
Bible? Has not His Holy Spirit inclined our 
hearts to receive that Word? Yes — it has come. 
It is planted. It must grow. The European nations 
cannot hinder it. Eanavalona cannot stamp it out. 
False friends and open foes cannot crush it. The 
Word of God will civilise us. We will rise among 
the nations of the earth when the love of Jesus 
spreads among us — for that love cures every evil. 
It inclines as well as teaches us to deny self and do 
good. It is not possible for man to reach a higher 
point than that ! Deny self ! Do good ! We are 
slow to learn, but it is sure to come at last, for is it 
not written that ‘ the knowledge of the Lord shall 
cover the earth as the waters cover the sea ' ? ” 

“ I believe you are right,” said Mark, much 
impressed with this outburst and the earnest 
enthusiasm of his friend’s manner. “And,” he 
continued, “you have a noble country to work on 
— full of earth’s riches.” 


380 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


“You say noting but the truth,” answered the 
Secretary in a gratified tone. “ Is not our island as 
big — or more big — as yours — nearly the same as 
France ? And look around ! We have thousands 
of cattle, tame and wild, with which even now we 
send large supplies to foreign markets, and fowls 
innumerable, both wild and tame. Our soil is rich 
and prolific. Are not our vegetables and fruits 
innumerable and abundant? Do not immense 
forests traverse our island in all directions, full of 
trees that are of value to man — trees fit for building 
his houses and ships and for making his beautiful 
furniture, as well as those that supply cocoa-nuts, 
and figs, and fruits, and gums, and dyes ? And 
have we not the silkworm in plenty, and cotton- 
plants, and sugar-cane, and many spices, and the 
great food-supply of our people — rice, besides 
minerals which make nations rich, such as iron and 
gold? Yes, we have everything that is desirable 
and good for man. But we have a xjlimate which 
does not suit the white man. Yet some white men, 
like yourself, manage to live here. Is not this a 
voice, from God ? He does not speak to us with 
the tongue of man, but He speaks with a still, small 
voice, as easy to understand. He has surrounded 
our island with unhealthy shores. Does not that 
tell the white man not to come here ? Your London 
Missionary Society sent us the Bible. God bless 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


381 


them for that! They have done well. But they 
have done enough. We desire not the interference 
of England or France in our affairs. We do not 
want your divisions, your sects. We have the 
Word. God will do the rest. ^We want no white 
nations to 'protect us. We want to be let alone to 
protect and develop ourselves, with the Bible for 
our guide and the Holy Spirit as our teacher. 
You Englishmen were savages once, and the Word 
of God came and raised you. You only continue to 
be great because the Bible keeps you still in the 
right path. What it has done for you it will do 
for us. - All we ask for is to be let alone I ” 

The Secretary had become quite excited on this 
theme, and there is no saying how much longer he 
might have gone on if Ebony had not returned, 
scratched, bruised, bleeding, panting and perspiring, 
but jubilant, with an enormous butterfly captive in 
his net, and the cause of science advanced. 

Having secured the specimen, they set off at once 
to visit the hot springs, after pricking a traveller’s- 
tree with a spear and obtaining a refreshing draught 
of cool clear water therefrom. 

Fountains of mineral waters have been found in 
many parts of Madagascar, and among them several 
which are called Eano-mafana, or “warm waters.” 
These vary both in temperature and medicinal 
properties. The spot when reached was found to 


382 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


be a small cavity in the rocks which was delight- 
fully shaded by the leaves of the wild fig, and by a 
number of interwoven and overhanging bamboos. 
The branches of the fig-trees spread directly across 
the stream. 

Hastening to the fountain, Hockins thrust his 
hand in, but quickly pulled it out again, for the 
water was only a few degrees below the boiling-point. 

“ Too hot to bathe in ! ” he said. 

“ But not too hot herel' remarked Ebony, going to 
a pool a little further from the fountainhead, where 
the water had cooled somewhat. There the negro 
dropped his simple garments, and was soon rolling 
like a black porpoise in his warm bath. It was 
only large enough for one, but close to it was 
another small pool big enough for several men. 
There Mark and Hockins were soon disporting 
joyously, while the Secretary looked on and laughed. 
Evidently he did not in the circumstances deem 
warm water either a necessity or a luxury. 

That evening, after returning to camp, Mark was 
summoned to lay the result of his labours before 
the Queen, who was much interested in his collec- 
tion of plants, and not a little amused with his 
collection of insects ; for she could understand the 
use of the medicines which her Court Physician 
assured her could be extracted from the former, but 
could see no sense whatever in collecting winged and 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 383 

creeping things, merely to be stuck on pins and 
looked at and saddled with incomprehensible names ! 
She did indeed except the gorgeous butterflies, and 
similar creatures, because these were pretty ; but on 
the whole she felt disposed to regard her physician 
as rather childish in that particular taste. 

Very different was her opinion of John Hockins. 
So fond was she of the flageolet of that musical 
and stalwart tar that she sent for him almost every 
evening and made him pipe away to her- until he 
almost fell asleep at his duty, so that at last he 
began to wish that flageolets had never been 
invented. 

“ It ’s nothin’ but blow, blow, blow, day arter day,” 
he growled as he returned to his tent one night, and 
flung down the little instrument in disgust. "I 
wish it had bin blow ’d up the time your big Koman 
candle busted, doctor.” 

“ If it had been, your influence with the Queen 
would have been gone, John.” 

“ Well, I dun-know, sir. Many a queer gale I ’ve 
come through in time past, but this blow beats ’em 
all to sticks an' whistles.” 

"'Hebber mind, ’Ockins,” remarked Ebony, who 
was busy preparing supper at the time, “ we 's habbin 
good times ob it just now. Plenty fun an’ lots ob 
science ! Come— go at your wittles. We 've hard 
work besides fun before us demorrow.” 


384 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Ebony was a true prophet in regard to the hard 
work, but not as to the fun, of the morrow ; for it so 
happened that two events occurred which threw a 
dark cloud over the expedition, for some, at least, in 
the royal procession, and induced the Queen to 
return to the capital sooner than she had intended. 

The first of these events was the discovery of a 
party of sixteen fugitives who were of suspicious 
character and unable to give account of themselves. 

They had been discovered by the Queen’s spies 
hidden in a rice-house. When brought before the 
officer who examined them, they were at first silent ; 
when pressed, they spoke a little, but nothing of 
importance could be gathered from them. At last 
they seemed to make up their minds to acknowledge 
who they were, for one of them stood forth boldly 
and said — 

“ Since you ask us again and again, we will tell 
you. We are not robbers or murderers. We are 
praying people. If this makes us guilty in the 
kingdom of the Queen, then, whatsoever she does, 
we must submit to suffer. We are ready to die for 
the name of the Lord Jesus.” 

“Is this, then,” asked the officer, “your final 
answer, whether for life or death ? ” 

“It is our final answer, whether for life or for 
death.” 

When this was reported to the Queen, all her 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


385 


anger was stirred up again. She ordered the cap- 
tives to be chained and sent off at once to Antanan- 
arivo. Two of the band managed to escape that 
night, but the other fourteen were safely lodged in 
prison. 

The countenance of Eanavalona "was now changed. 
She took no pleasure in Mark’s collections, and sent 
no more for the musical seaman. To make matters 
worse, there came in, on the following day, a re- 
port that some of her soldiers had captured a large 
band of fugitives in a distant part of the country, 
and were then marching them in chains to the 
capital. As this band was at the time approaching, 
the Queen gave orders to halt on an eminence that 
overlooked the path along which they had to travel, 
that she might see them. 

It was about noon when they drew near — worn, 
weary, and footsore. The Queen was so placed 
among the bushes that she could see the captives 
without being herself seen. Her chief officers stood 
near her. Mark and his companions had taken up 
a position much nearer to the forest path. 

First came a band of weary little ones, driven 
onwards like a flock of sheep, and apparently too 
much terrified by what they had undergone to make 
much noise, although most of them were weeping. 
Next came a group of women. These, like the 
children, were not bound, but the men, who walked 
2 B 


386 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


in rear, were chained together — two and two. 
Soldiers guarded them on every side. 

“ It is profoundly sad ! ” said Mark, in a deep 
sorrowful tone. “ God help them ! ” 

“Massa,” whispered Ebony, ‘‘look dar! Sure I 
knows some oh ” 

He stopped and opened wide his eyes, for at that 
moment he recognised Eafaravavy and Eamatoa 
among the women. With something like a groan, 
Hockins turned a glance on his comrades and pointed 
to the men. They required no second glance to 
enlighten them, for there they plainly saw Eavonino 
heavily ironed by the neck to Laihova, and Eazafil, 
the poet, chained to the chief, Voalavo. Many 
others whom they did not know were also there. 
These all trudged along with bowed heads and eyes 
on the ground, like men who, having gone through 
terrible mental and physical agony, have either 
become callous or resigned to their fate. 

As the Queen had given orders to her people to 
keep quiet and out of sight, the poor captives knew 
nothing of the host that gazed at them. Mark and 
his friends were so horrified that all power to move 
or speak failed them for a time. As for Eanavalona, 
she sat in rigid silence, like a bronze statue, with 
compressed lips and frowning brows, until they had 
passed. Then she gave orders to encamp where 
they stood, and retired in silence to her tent. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


387 


CHAPTEE XXVIIL 

IN WHICH TERRIBLE BUT TRUE MARTYRDOMS ARE DESCRIBED. 

Matters had now reached a crisis. Although 
suffering from illness — partly brought on, or aggra- 
vated, by her unrestrained passions — the Queen gave 
orders next day for the host to turn homeward. 
Travelling more rapidly than she had yet done, she 
soon reached the capital. 

There the arrival of the captives and the news of 
what had occurred prepared them for the worst. 
And the worst was not long of coming. The very 
day following the Queen’s return, a great assembly, 
or Kabery, of the whole people was called. None 
were exempted from the meeting. High and low, 
rich and poor, sick and healthy, were driven to the 
great place of assembly near the palace — literally 
driven, for officers were sent as usual to break into 
the houses of the people, when necessary, and force 
them to attend. And there was no way of escape, 
for at the time of the summons being sent out every 
outlet from the city was guarded by soldier;^ and 


388 


THE FUGITIVES, OE 


the cannon along the heights thundered a salute by 
way of striking terror into the hearts of the rebellious. 
Well did the poor people know what all this fore- 
shadowed. One who was an eye-witness of the 
scene said, ** there was a general howling and wail- 
ing, a rushing and running through the streets, as if 
the town had been attacked by a hostile army ” At 
last the great square of the city was crowded, as full 
as it could hold, with hundreds of thousands of 
people, who were overawed by the presence of a 
body of troops fifteen thousand strong as they 
awaited the anouncement of the Queen’s pleasure. 

Mark Breezy was there, along with his comrades, 
on an elevated spot near to the place where the 
Queen’s messenger was to make the proclamation. 

“ We are utterly - helpless here,” said Mark in 
a low voice, as he gazed in pity on the groaning and 
swaying multitude. “The Queen’s 'countenance is 
changed' to me. I feel sure that either we have been 
betrayed in the matter of Eafaravavy, or we ^ are 
suspected. Indeed, if it were not that she is^ill, 
and needs my aid, she would certainly banish us all 
from her dominions.” 

“ I wish I was well out of ’em,” growled Hockins. 
“ The country is well enough, no doubt, but a woman 
like that makes it a hell-upon-earth ! ” 

“ Has you hear, massa, whar dey hab put Eavonino 
an’ our oder friends ? ” asked Ebony. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 389 

No, I did not dare to ask. And even if we knew 
we could do nothing.’^ 

The youth spoke bitterly, for he had become so 
much attached to their forme-r guide, and the natives 
with whom they had sojourned and travelled, that 
he would have 'fought for them to the death if that 
could have availed them. Strong and active young 
men are apt to become bitter when they find that 
superabundant energy and physical force are in 
some circumstances utterly useless. To be compelled 
to stand by inactive and see 'injustice done— cruelty 
and death dealt out, while the blood boils, the 
nerves quiver, and the violated feelings revolt, is a 
sore trial to manhood ! And such was the position 
of our three adventurers at that time. 

Presently the highest civil and military officers 
came forth, one of whom, in a loud sonorous voice, 
delivered the message of his terrible mistress. 

After a number of complimentary and adulatory 
phrases to the Queen herself, and many ceremonial 
bowings towards the palace, as if she actually heard 
him, the messenger spoke as follows — 

“ I announce to you, 0 people, that I am not a 
Sovereign that deceives. I find that, in spite of my 
commands, many of my people revile the idols and 
treat divination as a trifle, and worship the Christians* 
God, and pray, and baptize, and sing — which things 
I 'abhor. They are -unlawful. I detest them, and 


390 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


they are not to be done, saith Kanavklo-Manjaka. 
I will not suffer it. Those who dare to disobey my 
commands shall die. Now, I order that all who are 
guilty- shall come in classes according to their 
offences, and accuse^ themselves of beings baptized, 
of being members of the Church, of having taught 
slaves to read, and that all books shall be given 
up.” 

As on a previous occasion, many came forward 
at once and accused themselves, or gave up their 
Bibles and Testaments; but, as before, others 
concealed their treasures and held their tongue, 
although it was evident that on this occasion the 
Queen uttered no vain threat, but was terribly in 
earnest. 

The proclamation ended, the people dispersed, and 
Mark- and his- friends were returning to their quarters 
when they were'Urrestedrby a-party of . soldiers. As 
usual, their first .impulse was to^’esist violently, but 
wisdom was given them in time, and they went 
quietly along. Of course Mark protested vehemently 
both in English and in broken Malagasy, but no 
attention whatever was paid to his words. They 
were led to a prison which they had not before seen. 
As they approached the door the sound of singing 
was heard. Another moment and they were thrust 
into the room whence the sounds issued, and the 
door was locked upon them. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


391 


At first they could only see dimly, the place was 
so dark ; but in a few seconds, their eyes becoming 
accustomed to the gloom, they could see that a 
number of other prisoners — both men and women — 
were seated round the walls-singing a hymn. When 
the hymn ceased an exclamation from a familiar 
voice made them turn round, and there they saw 
their friend' Eavonino seated on the floor with his 
back against the wall and chained to Laihova and 
to- the 'floor. Beside him were several well-re- 
membered natives, and on the opposite side of the 
room, also chained, were the women of the party, 
among whom were Eamatoa, Ea-Euth, Eafaravavy, 
her maid Sarah, and the poor mother of Mamba. 

Eavonino !” exclaimed Mark, in tones of profound 
sorrow, as he sat down beside his old guide, “I little 
thought to find you in such a strait.’* 

" Even so, sir,” returned the man in a gentle voice, 
‘‘ for so it seems good in His eyes ! But still less 
did I expect to find you in prison — for the way 
they thrust you in shows me that you are no mere 
visitor. I fear me, the cruel woman has found out 
ho w^ kind you were im helping me.” 

“ But surely dar some hope for you ! Dey nebber 
kill you all !” said the negro, waving his hand round 
as if to indicate the whole party. 

No hope, no hope,” returned Eavonino, sadly 
“ Not even for you. Ebony, because you are only a 


392 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


black man. But they won’t kill you, sir, or Hockins. 
They know better than to risk the consequences of 
putting a -British subject to death. For the rest of 
us — our doom is sealed.” 

“If the Lord wills it so,” remarked Laihova, 
quietly. 

“ How do you know that the Lord wills it so ? ” 
demanded a voice fiercely, and a man who had 
hitherto sat still with his face buried in his hands 
looked up. It was the stout chief Voalavo, all whose 
fun of disposition seemed to have been turned to 
fury. “ You all speak as if you were already dead 
men ! Are we not alive ? Have we not stout hearts 
and strong limbs ? While life remains there is hope ! ” 

He leaped up as he spoke and began to wrench 
at his chain like a maddened tiger, until blood spurt- 
ed from his wrists and the swollen veins stood out 
like cords from his neck and forehead. But iron 
proved tougher than flesh. He sank down, ex- 
hausted, with a deep groan — yet even in his agony 
of rage the strong man murmured as he fell, “ Lord 
forgive me ! ” 

While the men conversed, and Ebony sought to 
soothe Voalavo, with whom he had strong sympathy 
most of the poor women opposite were seated in a 
state of quiet resignation. Some there were, how- 
ever, who could not bring their minds to contemplate 
with calmness the horrible fate that they knew too 


i 


THE TYEANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 393 

well awaited them, while others seemed to forget 
themselves in their desire to comfort their com- 
panions. Among the timid ones was pretty, little Ea- 
Euth. Perhaps her vivid- imagination enabled her 
to realise more powerfully the- terrors of martyrdom. 
It may be - that her delicately-strung -nerves shrank 
more- sensitively from the -prospect, but in spite of 
her utmost efforts to he brave she trembled violently 
and was -pale as death. Yet she did not murmur, 
she only laid her head on the sympathetic bosom of 
her queen-like friend Eamatoa, who seemed to her 
a miracle of strength and resignation. 

In a short time the door of the prison opened, 
and a party of armed men entered with Silver Spear, 
or Hater of Lies, at their head. An involuntary 
shudder ran through the group of captives as the 
man advanced and looked round. 

“Which is'Eazafil demanded Hater of Lies. 

The poet rose promptly. “ Here I- am,” he said, 
looking -boldly at the officer. Then, glancing up- 
wards, and in a voice of extreme - tenderness, he 
said, “ How, my sweet Eaniva, I will soon join you!” 

“ Eamatoa — which is she ? ” said the officer, as his 
men removed the fetters from the poet and fastened 
his- wrists with a cord. 

Eamatoa at once rose up. “ I am ready,” she said, 
calmly. “How, Ea-Euth, the Master calls me. Pear 
not wffiat man can do unto thee.” 


394 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


“ Oh ! no, no ! do not go yet,” exclaimed Ea-Euth in 
an agony of grief, as she clung to her friend. “The 
good Lord cannot mean this — oh ! take- me / take 
me ! and let her stay ! ” 

The sentence ended in a low wail, for at the 
moment two soldiers forced the girls asunder, and 
Ea-Euth sank upon the floor, while Eamatoa was 
led away. 

Poor Laihova had watched every movement of 
Ea-Euth. It was, no doubt, the fiercest part of the 
fiery trial he had to undergo ; and when the soldier 
grasped her arms to tear her from her friend he could 
restrain himself no longer. He sprang up and 
made a wild leap towards her, but the chain arrested 
him effectually, and three bayonets were quickly 
pointed at his breast. His head fell forward, and 
he sank down like one who had been shot. 

Meanwhile Hater of Lies selected Ea-Euth and 
twelve' others from the -group of prisoners, but only 
the three whom we have mentioned are-known to the 
reader. They were led into an outer room, where 
they were further pinioned. Some of them had 
their feet and hands tied together, so that, by thrust- 
ing a pole between the legs and arms of each, they 
could be suspended and carried by two men. Others 
were allowed to walk to the place of execution. 
The rage of Eanavalona, however, was so great on 
finding that the Christians would not submit to her 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


395 


that she had given orders to the soldieis to torture 
the martyrs with their spears as they marched along 
the road. This was done' to all except Eamatoa and 
Ea-Euth,' as the blood-stained road bore witness. 
The comfort of being together was not allowed to 
the two ladies. They were placed in different parts 
of the procession. 

Mats were, thrust into the -mouths of the sus- 
pended .victims to- prevent them from speaking, but 
some of them managed to free their mouths and 
prayed- aloud, while others sang-hymns or addressed 
the crowd. Thus they passed along the road that 
led to the Place of Hurling Down. 

This was a tremendous precipice of granite,- 150 
feet high. Thither the multitude streamed — some 
influenced by hatred of the Christians, some by deep 
sympathy with them, but the -majority, doubtless, 
prompted by- mere excitement and curiosity. And 
there they crowded as near as they dared venture to 
the edge of the precipice andgazed into the awfulgulf. 

Slowly the procession moved, as if to prolong the 
agony ^ of the martyrs. Suddenly a young man 
pushed through the crowd, advanced to the side of 
Eamatoa, and grasped one of her hands, exclaiming 
in a loud voice, “ Dearest ! I will go with you and 
stay by -you to the end.” 

For a moment the calm serenity that had settled 
on the girl’s fine countenance was disturbed. 


396 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


“Mamba!” she said, “this is uot wise. You 
cannot save me. It is God’s will that I should now 
glorify the dear name of Jesus by laying down my 
life. But you are not yet condemned, and your 
mother needs your help.” 

“Bull well do I know that,” returned the youth, 
fervently. “ Were it not for my dear mother’s love 
and claim on me, I would now have gone with you 
to heaven. As it is, I will stay by you, dear one, 
to the end.” 

“Thank you, dear friend,” returned the girl, 
earnestly. “I think it will not be long till we 
meet where there are no more sufferings or tears.” 

Soon the procession reached the brow of the 
terrible cliff. Here the martyrs were ranged in 
such ar way that, while they were -cast over one by 
one, the rest could see their companions fall. 

The first to -perish was the poet Eazafil. After 
the Queen’s messenger had pronounced the sen- 
tence of each, the poor man was seized and thrown 
violently on the ground. A rope was then fastened 
round his waist, and he was asked if he would cease 
to pray in the name of Jesus. 

“Cease to pray to Jesus!” he exclaimed, while 
the fire of enthusiasm gleamed in his eyes — “to 
Jesus who saved my Eaniva, and who holds out 
His blessed hands to me— even me — to take me to 
Himself? Never 1'' 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


397 


Eazafil was instantly- slung over the precipice, and 
held -suspended there in the hope that the awful 
nature of his impending fate might cause his courage 
to- fail, while the executioner knelt, knife in hand, 
ready to cut the rope. 

‘‘Once more, and for the last time,” said the 
officer in command, “will you cease to pray ?” 

The answer was an emphatic “ No !” 

Next moment Eazafd went shooting down head- 
long into the abyss. There was a projecting ledge 
of rock about fifty feet down the precipice. On this 
the body of the martyr struck, and, bounding off 
into space, reached the bottom with incredible 
violence, a shattered and mangled heap. 

With trembling hearts and straining gaze the 
other victims watched the descent. It seemed to 
be more than human nature could endure to volun- 
tarily face such a fate when a word would deliver 
them. So thought many of the spectators, and 
they were-right ; mere human nature could not have 
endured it, but these Christians were strengthened 
in a -way that the ungodly will neither believe nor 
understand. One by one they were led to the edge 
of the cliff, suspended over the edge, and had the 
testing question put to them, and, one by one, the 
answer was a decisive “ No !” 

But where was the tyrant Queen while this scene 
of butchery was being enacted? In her chamber 


398 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


in the palace— comparatively, yet not altogether, 
regardless of the matter. 

Her son Eakota stood beside her. Our friend 
the Secretary stood at the door. 

“Mother,” said the Prince, quietly, “they are 
being hurled down now — and little Ka-Euth is 
among them.” 

The Queen looked up, startled. “Ho, no!” she 
said, hesitatingly. “Ea-Euth must not — but — but — 
I must not seem to my people to be weak — yet 1 
would save her.” 

Eakota gave a gentle nod to the Secretary, who 
instantly vanished. He reached the place of execu- 
tion only just in time. The rope was already round 
the girl’s slender, waist, and the testing-question had 
been put — but her timidity had flown, and was re- 
placed by a calm, almost angelic, expression, as she 
gazed up to Heaven, clasped her hands, and, with a 
flush of enthusiasm, exclaimed — 

“ No — Jesus — no, I will never cease to worship 
Thee !” 

A murmur of mingled surprise and pity broke 
from the crowd. At that moment the Secretary 
came forward. 

“ The Queen,” he said, “ has sent me to ask you, 
Ea-Euth, whether you will not worship our gods 
and save your life.” 

“No,” answered the girl, firmly. “I have been 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 399 

weak — a coward — but now God has sent me strength 
by His own Holy Spirit, and my fixed determination 
is to go this day with my dear brothers and sisters 
to Heaven.” 

“ You are a fool ! You are mad /” exclaimed an 
officer standing by, as he struck her on the head. 

“ Yes, she is mad” said the Secretary to the 
officer in command. “ Send a messenger to tell the 
Queen that Ea-Euth has lost her reason. Mean- 
while, let her be taken away and guarded well till 
the Queen's pleasure regarding her is known.” 

But 'although this poor girl was thus snatched 
from death at the last moment, no mercy was ex- 
tended to the others. All were thrown over the 
cliff and dashed to pieces at that time except 
Eamatoa. When the question was put to her, last 
of all, she, as might have been expected, was not 
less firm in her reply than her companions; but, 
instead of being thrown over, she was informed that 
as it was not allowable to shed the blood of one of 
noble birth she was to be burnt- alive ! 

At this dreadful announcement she turned paler 
than before, but did not flinch. At the same moment 
poor Mamba lost control of himself. He sprang to 
her side, put an arm round her waist, and shouted — 

“ This shall not be ! I, too, am a praying man. 
Ye shall not touch her !” 

He glared fiercely round, and, for a moment, the 


400 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


soldiers did not dare to approach him, although he 
was totally unarmed. But they sprang on him from 
behind, and he was quickly overpowered by num- 
bers. At the- command of their officer, they tore 
him from' Kamatoa, carried him to the cliff, and 
hurled him over. His head struck the ledge, and 
his brains were dashed out there. Next moment he 
lay dead among the rocks at the bottom. 

This awful sight Eamatoa was spared, for, at the 
same instant, they had dragged her away to the 
spot where a pile of wood had been prepared for 
herself. Four stakes were fixed in the midst of the 
pile, as three other Christian nobles were to be 
burnt along with her, one of whom was a lady. 
While Eamatoa watched the preparations for her 
death, her fellow-sufferers arrived — singing, as they 
walked, a hymn which begins with “When our 
hearts are troubled,” and ends with “ Then remember 
us.” Eamatoa raised her voice and joined them. 
There was no wavering or shrinking from the fiery 
ordeal. When all was ready the martyrs quietly 
suffered themselves to be bound to the stakes ; and, 
strange to say, when the flames roared around them, 
the song of praise still went on, and the voices of 
praise and prayer did not cease until they had 
culminated in glad shouts of praise and victory 
before the throne of God ! 

— ^We write facts just now, reader, not fiction !) Men 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 401 

talk of the cruelty of devils ! Assuredly there is 
not a' devil in or out of hell who can sink to lower 
depths of cruelty than fallen man will sink to when 
left to the unrestrained influence of that hateful 
thing— — from which Jesus Christ came to 
deliver us, blessed he His name ! 

It iS'Said that while these four martyrs were being 
fastened to the stakes, an immense triple-arched 
rainbow stretched across the heavens, one end of 
which appeared to rest upon them, and that rain 
fell in torrents. This so terrified many of the 
spectators, that they fled in consternation from the 
scene. 

But the cup of iniquity was not yet filled up. 
While the martyrs were still in the fire, and praying 
“ 0 Lord, receive our spirits, and lay not this sin 
to their charge,” a shouting yelling band arrived, 
dragging after them the corpses of the men and 
women who had perished at the Place of Hurling 
Down. These were tossed upon the pile to serve 
as fuel to the fire. The poor unrecognisable remains 
of - Mamba were among them ; and thus, even in 
their death, he and Eamatoa were not divided ! 

At this time of terrible suffering and trial— as 
in the previous persecutions during the reign of 
this tyrant queen — hundreds of Christians willingly 
submitted to the loss of position, wealth, and liberty 
for the sake of Jesus, besides those who witnessed 
2 c 


402 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


a good confession, and sealed their testimony with 
their blood. Thirty-seven native preachers, with 
their wives and families, were consigned to a life of 
slavery. More than a hundred men and women 
were flogged and sentenced to work in chains during 
their lives. Some were heavily fined, and many 
among the " great and noble ” were stripped of 
honours and- titles, reduced to the ranks, and forced 
to labour at the hardest and most menial occupation. 

Among these last was Prince Eamonja, who had 
been the means of sheltering, secreting, and saving 
many Christians. Fortunately Prince Eakota re- 
tained his influence over his mother, and his power 
to do good — a circumstance for which our three 
adventurers had ultimately reason to thank God, 
though, for a considerable time after that, they re- 
mained in prison, in company with their friends 
Eavonino, Voalavo, Laihova, and others. 

These last were not delivered from their chains, 
but lived in hourly expectation of being led out to 
execution. After Ea-Euth’s removal, Laihova was 
at first overwhelmed with despair, but when a 
friendly jailor informed him of her having been 
spared under the supposition that she was insane, 
hope revived a little, though he could not help 
seeing that the prospect ahead was still very black. 

Another prisoner who was inconsolable was poor 
Eeni-Mamba. From the time that she was told of 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


403 


her son’s fate she seemed to ^ink into a state of 
quiet imbecility, from which no efforts of her friends 
could rouse her. She did not murmur or complain. 
She simply sat eilent and callous to everything 
around her. She, Kafaravavy, Sarah, and the other 
females, were removed to another prison, and for a 
long time their male friends could learn nothing as 
to their fate. 

“ It is this prolonged uncertainty that ’s so hard 
to bear,” remarked Kavonino to Mark one day, lift- 
ing his hands high above his head, and letting them 
fall, with the clanking chains, into his lap. 

True, true,” replied the youth, shortly — for con- 
finement was -beginning to tell unfavourably on 
himself. 

“Das w’ere it is,” remarked Ebony, endeavouring 
to brighten up a little, but with only moderate 
success, “it’s sottin still an’ doin’ nuffin dat kills. 
What you tink, ’Ockins ? ” 

“Ay,>ay,” assented the- seaman; and as- for a 
long lime nothing more than “ ay, ay ” had been, 
got out of Hockins, Ebony relapsed into silence. 

Things had reached this lugubrious- pass when an 
event .occurred which materially affected the con- 
dition of the prisoners, and considerably altered the 
history of Madagascar. 


404 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


CHAPTEE XXIX. 

THREATENED DEATH AVERTED— BURIED ALIVE— END OF THE TYRANT 
QUEEN— REVOLT CRUSHED AND RADAMA 11. CROWNED. 

One morning, shortly after sunrise, Mark was 
awakened by the entrance of their jailor. By that 
time he had grown so accustomed to clanking chains, 
shooting bolts, and such-like sounds, that he looked 
up sleepily and without much interest, but a thrill 
or qualm passed through him when he observed 
that the jailor was followed by Hater of Lies with 
his silver spear. 

Still more were he and his awakened comrades 
horrified when the names of Eavoninohitriniony 
and Voalavo were sternly called out. Both men 
promptly stood up. 

“ At" last ! ” said the former, quietly, and without 
a trace of excitement. Well, I am glad, for it is the 
Lord’s will. Farewell, my friends,” he added, looking 
back as he was led away, “ we shall all meet again 
in great joy— farewell ! ” 

Evidently Voalavo did not take things so quietly. 
His lips were firmly compressed, his face was deeply 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 405 

flushed, and his brows were sternly contracted, as 
they led him out. But for his chains the chief 
would certainly have given his jailors some trouble. 

The whole thing passed so quickly that it seemed 
to those left behind like a dream when they found 
themselves alone. Ebony sat down, put his face on 
his knees, and fairly burst into tears. 

“ Oh ! Lord,” he sobbed, “ send ’em quick for me, 
an’ let’s hab it ober ! ” 

It seemed as if the poor fellow’s prayer was 
about to be answered, for again the door opened, 
and the Secretary -entered. 

“ Be not afraid,” he said, observing their alarm, 
“ I come not to summon you to death, but to ask 
you, doctor, to come and see the Queen — she is ill.” 

Oh ! massa, pison her ! Do, massa ! Nobody 
would call it murder,” said the negro, with fervent 
entreaty. 

Paying no attention to this advice, Mark followed 
the Secretary, and the bolts were again drawn on 
his friends. 

He found Eanavalona suffering severely. Indeed, 
for some time previous to that her health had been 
failing, and she would gladly have had the advice 
of her Court Physician, but seemed to be ashamed 
to send for him after the way she had caused him 
to be treated. There is this to be said for her, that 
she would probably have liberated him long ago. 


406 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


but for the -advice of her minister, Kainiharo, who 
was jealous of the young Englishman’s growing 
popularity as well as a hater of his religion. 

After prescribing for the Queen and affording her 
some relief, he gave orders that she should be kept 
very quiet; that no noise was to be -permitted in or 
near the palace. Then he left her apartments with 
the Secretary. 

As they traversed one of the corridors, the latter 
told Mark that the order had been given for the 
execution of Eavonino and Voalavo. 

“Was that order given by the Queen?” demanded 
Mark, flushing with indignation, while a gush of 
anxiety almost choked him. 

“No, it was given by Eainiharo, who takes ad- 
vantage of his position and the Queen’s illness.” 

Just then a step was heard at the further end of 
the passage, and Hater of Lies advanced towards 
them with his badge of office, the silver spear, in 
his hand. 

Like a flash of light an idea entered the young 
Englishman’s head ! He had no time to think or 
plan— only to act. In the same moment, however, 
lie offered up a silent prayer for help. 

As the officer was about to pass, Mark snatched 
the^pear from his hand and brought the handle of 
it down on its owner’s crown with such good-will 
that the Hater of Lies was laid flat upon the floor ! 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


407 


Thunderstruck, the. Secretary gazed at his young 
companion. “ You are Tuined now ! ” he 5aid. 

“ True, and you must be ruined along with me ! 
Here, take the spear and act the part of the Hater 
of Lies.” 

For a moment the Secretary hesitated — then, as 
if suddenly making up his mind, he said — 

“ Come, I am with you heart and soul ! ” 

“ Lead to the '^place of execution — quick,” cried 
Mark. 

“We will take the prison in passing,” said his 
companion, grasping the spear and hastening onward. 

The prison was soon reached. The guards were 
a little surprised at the change of the bearer, but 
no one dared to think of opposing the passage of 
the well-known and awful emblem of office ! 

“ Come, Hockins, Ebony, Laihova, follow us,” 
cried Mark, springing in. 

He did not wait to explain. The Secretary, 
acting his part well, stalked with grand solemnity 
down the streets towards the western gate of the 
city. His four friends followed. Every one made 
way. Hockins and the negro, not knowing what 
they might be called on to do, took the first oppor- 
tunity that presented, each to seize and carry off a 
garden-stake, as a substitute for cudgel or quarter- 
staff. ■ 

The guards, as before, let them pass without 


408 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


question. Once ~^outside the town they quickened 
their pace, and finally ran. 

“We may be too late ! ” gasped Mark. 

“ It may be -so— but we have not far to go.” As 
he spoke they distinguished sounds as of men en- 
gaged in a struggle. On turning a point of rock 
they came in sight of a party of twelve soldiers. 
They were struggling fiercely with one man, whom 
they tried to bind. But the man seemed to possess 
the power of Samson. 

“ It ’s Voalavo,” cried Hockins, and rushed to the 
rescue. 

“Das so,” cried the negro, following suit with 
blazing eyes. 

Snatching the silver spear from the Secretary, 
Mark sprang forward like a wild cat, and, sweeping 
it right and left, brought down two of the men. 
His comrades overturned two others whose muskets 
they seized, while Voalavo, with the power of a 
giant, hurled two others from him as if they had 
been boys. He did not stop to speak, but, to the 
surprise of his rescuers, ran straight into a neigh- 
bouring coppice, and disappeared. 

For one moment the remaining soldiers lowered 
their bayonets as if to charge, but the Secretary, 
grasping the Hater of Lies, said, in a commanding 
tone — 

‘ What means this haste ? Ye shall answer to the 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


409 


Queen for what you have done ! Go ! Keturn to 
your quarters. You are under arrest. Carry your 
comrades with you ! ” 

Cowed by this speech, for they all knew the 
Secretary to be a man of position and power in the 
palace, the soldiers humbly picked up their fallen 
comrades and retired. The victors immediately ran 
into the coppice in search of Voalavo, whom they 
found on his knees, digging up the earth with both 
hands as if for very life ! Just as they came up he 
had uncovered the face of Eavonino, who had been 
buried alive, and was already as pale as if he were 
dead. 

“ Have they killed him ? ” gasped Laihova, as 
he dropped on his knees with the others, and began 
to dig. 

“ Ho — they do not kill when the sentence is to 
bury alive,” said the Secretary, “ but no doubt he is 
half-suffocated.” 

The grave was very shallow — not more than a 
foot deep, and a living man might without much 
difficulty have struggled out of it, but the poor man 
had been bound to a long pole, which was buried 
along with him, so that he could not move. They 
soon got him out, and were about to cast him loose 
when there arose a cry in the city which quickly 
increased to a mighty roar. 

They have found out our trick,” said the 


410 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Secretary. " Nothing can save us now but flight. 
Come — take him up. This way ! ” 

In a moment Hockins and Ebony had the ends 
of the pole on their shoulders, and bore their still 
unconscious friend after the Secretary. The noise 
and shouting in the town increased, and it soon 
became evident that they were pursued, being led, 
no doubt, by the soldiers who had been so roughly 
handled. 

This way,” cried their guide, turning sharp into 
a by-path which led them into a small garden, ‘‘ a 
friend — a Christian— dwells here.” 

The friend turned out to be an old woman who 
was rather deaf, but she heard enough to understand 
the situation. 

“Here!” she said, tottering into a back-yard, in 
which was a quantity of straw and rubbish. “ Go 
down there.” 

She pointed to a hole. It was the mouth of a 
rice-hole. Down went the Secretary, without a 
word, and turned to receive the end of the pole 
which Hockins passed carefully in. The rest 
followed. The old woman put on the cover and 
threw over it some of the rubbish. 

Being pitch dark, the nature of the place could 
not be distinguished by the fugitives, but they could 
hear the shouting of the soldiers who searched the 
house for them. They could also hear the angry 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


411 


queries that were put to the owner of the place, 
and they could perceive that the old woman had 
miraculously become dumb as well as stone deaf ! 

Soon the quietness overhead led them to hope 
that the soldiers had left. In a short time the 
cover of the rice-hole was removed, and the old 
woman, putting her head down, informed them that 
all was safe, at least in the meantime. 

They now unfastened Eavonino from the pole, 
and found, to their great joy, that he was yet alive, 
though considerably shaken. A little rice-soup, 
however, and a night’s rest, put him all right again. 

In that hole, carefully tended by the deaf old 
woman, these six were compelled to secrete them- 
selves for a week, during which time the soldiers 
were scouring the country in all directions in search 
of them. They had to keep so close, and to be so 
careful, that they did not even dare to let the old 
woman go near the neighbours to inquire what was 
going on in the town, though naturally they were 
very anxious on that point. 

At the end of that week, while the fugitives were 
taking a breath of fresh air in the yard, they were 
surprised by hearing the tramp of approaching 
soldiers. To dive into their . hiding-place and be 
covered over by the old woman was the work of a 
few seconds. Anxiously they listened while the 
renewed search was going on. The sounds some- 


412 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


times showed that the searchers were retiring from 
the yard, at other times drawing near to it. At last 
a step was heard on the rubbish heap above them ; 
then a blow resounded on their covering, as if with 
the butt-end of a musket. This was followed by a 
shout, a clamour of voices, and a hasty clearing 
away of the rubbish. 

‘‘All is lost!” exclaimed the Secretary in his 
native tongue. 

“Not while we have arms,” growled Voalavo. 

“ You need not count on me to help you,” said 
Eavonino, quietly, in the native tongue; “why 
should we slaughter men uselessly ? If we had a 
chance of making a dash I would fight. But we 
can get out of this hole only one by one, and no 
doubt a hundred men await us I ” 

“Is we a-goin' to fight, massa?” asked the negro, 
hopefully. 

“ Of course we are,” said Hockins. 

“ No, my friend, we are not,” said the Secretary, 
“ our only hope, now, is in God.” 

“ It seems to me,” rejoined Eavonino, “ that God 
is our only hope at all times — whether in danger or 
in safety ; but He makes it plain just now that our 
duty, as well as our wisdom, lies in quiet sub- 
mission.” 

Ebony received this remark with a groan, and 
Hockins with something like a growl. Just then 


THE TYEANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 413 

the covering of their hiding-place was thrown off, 
and several bayonet-pointe appeared. 

“ Come out, one at a time, quietly, else we will 
shoot you where you stand!” exclaimed a stern 
voice. 

The Secretary translated this. At the same time 
Eavonino clambered out of the rice-hole, and was 
instantly, seized and bound. 

“ It ’s all over now — may the Lord have mercy on 
us 1” exclaimed Hockins, dropping his weapon and 
following his friend. 

Whatever might have been the various feelings 
of the unfortunate party, the example thus set was 
accepted, for each one submitted, and when Mark 
looked round on the large band of armed men by 
whom they were surrounded, he perceived the 
wisdom of Eavonino’s advice, and how hopeless 
would have been any attempt on the part of himself 
and his friends to break through and escape. 

Silently, and without a word of explanation, the 
officer ia command led his captives into the town. 
They were too much overwhelmed by their calami- 
tous circumstances to pay much attention to any- 
thing, yet they could not help observing that greater 
crowds of people than usual were hurrying through 
the streets, and that every one wore, more or less, 
an air of excitement. 

Our friends had expected to be cast into their old 


414 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


prison, but they were led straight to the palace, 
where they wero handed over to the officer on duty. 
In spite of the depression of his spirits, the Secretary 
could not resist his feelings of curiosity, and asked 
what all the stir meant, but he received no answer. 

The prisoners were now conducted into a large 
room, where they found Prince Eakota standing, 
surrounded by a crowd of people — male and female. 
Beside the Prince was his cousin, Eamonja. Eavo- 
nino and Laihova observed — with a gush of feeling 
which may be understood but not described — that 
Eafaravavy and Ea-Euth were among the ladies. 
Poor Eeni-Mamba was also there, her mild face 
showing unmistakable traces of the suffering caused 
by the loss of her only son. 

Welcome, my friends,” said Eakota, hastening 
forward to receive the prisoners. “You are now 
safe and free !” 

“Safe? free ?” repeated the Secretary, in surprise. 

“ Yes. Have they not told you the news ? ” he 
asked, while an expression, as of pain, passed over 
his face, “my mother— the Queen — is-(^dO But 
come,” he added quickly, as if he wished to avoid 
the subject, “ I wish to consult with you, for serious 
dangers threaten us. Come.” 

He left the room quickly, followed by the 
Secretary, while Eavonino and Laihova were drink- 
ing in the news from the respective lips that 


THE TYKANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 415 

pleased them best. The facts were soon com- 
municated to all the party. 

The Queen^ they said, who had been declining in 
health for a considerable time past, had latterly 
become much worse. No doubt her failure to 
stamp out Christianity must have aggravated her 
complaint, for the effect of her extreme severity was 
rather to advance than hinder the good- cause. The 
persecutions — the banishments — the murders — of 
twenty-five years, instead of checking, had spread 
the Gospel far and wide over the land, for, as in the 
first days, ‘ they that were scattered abroad went 
everywhere preaching the Word,’ and the amazing 
constancy, and courage, and tenderness to their 
enemies, of thS noble army of martyrs, bad-given a 
depth and power to the Christian life which might 
otherwise have been wanting. 

At all events, whatever the cause, Eanavalona i. 
sank rapidly, and, on the -15th of August, 1861, 
after a reign of thirty-three years, the ^Tyrant 
Queen of -Madagascar passed away to the tribunal 
of the King of Kings. 

Her son. Prince Eakota, was her successor; but 
his succession was not to be unopposed. He had' a 
lival claimant to the throne in his own cousin 
Eambosalama, an able, wary, and unscrupulous 
man, who, on perceiving that the end was approach- 
ing, had laid his plans secretly and extensively for 


416 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


seizing the reins of government. Prince Eakota, how- 
ever, was so much beloved that all his cousin's plans 
were revealed to him by his friends, but the disposi- 
tion of the prince was too humane to permit of his 
adopting the usual savage means to foil his foe. 

“ All has been told to me," he said to the Secre- 
tary. “ My cousin has gained many to his side — 
especially of those who hate the Christians. He 
has even hired men to kill me ! ) I know it, because 
one of the assassins came last night and warned me. 
At the same time he confessed that he had intended 
to commit the crime.” 

“But have you not taken steps to thwart your 
cousin ! ” 

have. For some time past every allowable 
measure for our protection has been taken, but the 
religion of Jesus, as you know, forbids me to resort 
to poison, the chain, or the spear. My reign shall 
not begin with bloodshed if I can help it. You know 
that my good friend the Commander-in-Chief of the 
troops, Eainiharo’s son, is on our side. Finding that 
my cousin went about armed, he recently issued an 
order that no one should be allowed to carry arms 
in the palace. As I myself bowed to this order, 
and submitted to be searched, of course Eambo- 
sal^ma had no excuse for refusing. Then, as a pre- 
caution, we have concealed from all except sure 
friends the orders which, from day to day, have 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


417 


regulated the movements of the troops. I have met 
daily in council those on whom I can depend, and 
our course of action is all arranged. Only one 
point remains unsettled, and it is that which I ask 
you to undertake — for your will is resolute.” 

“Whatever my Prince requires of me shall be 
done — if it he not against the laws of my God,” said 
the Secretary. 

Eakota looked pleased with the reply. “ I want 
you,” he said, “to stand in the passage here, till 
Eambosalama appears. He is sure to pass, being 
now in the death-chamber, to which I return 
speedily. His followers will be in force in the 
palace-yard— I hear the multitudes assembling even 
now. When he passes this way it will be to give 
the signal of revolt. You will stop him. If he 
resists, use force — you are strong ! You under- 
stand ? ” 

The Secretary looked intelligent, and bowed as the 
Prince rose and left him. Then he hastily sought 
for and found his friend Ebony, with whom he 
had struck up a sort of happy-go-lucky friendship. 

Meanwhile the multitudes, who had heard early 
in the morning that the Queen was dying, had 
crowded every street that led to the palace. Some 
had even pressed into the courts in their anxiety to 
know the truth. Laxity seemed to prevail among 
the guards, for many people who carried weapons 
2 D 


418 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


ill-concealed in their lambas, and whose looks as 
well as movements were suspicions, were allowed to 
enter. These were the partisans of Eambosalama. 
Indeed it is probable that even among the guards 
themselves there were adherents of the Pretender. 

But the faithful Commander-in- Chief was on the 
alert, and had laid his plans. He stood in the 
chamber of death where the mourners were weeping. 
He watched with keen eye the movements of Eambo- 
sal^ma, and when that Prince left the room for the 
purpose of giving the signal to his followers, he 
slipped quietly out and gave his counter-signal, 
which was the waving of a scarf from a window. 
Instantly a trumpet sounded, and more than a 
thousand trusty soldiers who had been in waiting 
marched into the palace courts. 

Hearing the trumpet, the Pretender hastened 
along the passage that led to the court. At the end 
of it a door opened, and the Secretary, stepping out, 
confronted him. 

“Well met, Eambosalama,” he said, taking his 
arm in a friendly but firm way, “ I have somewhat 
to say to you.” 

“Not now, not now!” exclaimed the other, 
hastily. “ I am wanted outside 1 Another time ” 

“No time like the present,” interrupted the 
Secretary, tightening his grasp, “ come this way.” 

Eambosalama, taking alarm, tried to wrench him- 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 419 

self free, but the Secretary was strong. At the 
same moment a powerful black hand grasped the 
nape of his meek. 

“ Come now, sar, you go long quiet an’ comf’r’able 
an’ nobody hurt you. Dis way. Das a sweet little 
chamber for de naughty boys.” 

With a force that there was no resisting Ebony 
pushed the prince into a small room with a very 
small window. The door was shut, the key turned, 
and the. danger was past ! 

Immediately afterwards the Commander-in- Chief 
appeared on the balcony of the palace, announced 
the Queen’s death to the multitude, and, amid 
demonstrations of wildest joy, alike from soldiers 
and people, proclaimed Eakota King of Madagas- 
car, under the title of Eadama ii. 

In the afternoon of the same day the King 
presented himself to the people, arrayed in royal 
robes, with a crown on his head, and surrounded by 
his chief nobles. 

So overjoyed were the people at the blessed 
change from the tyranny of a cruel woman to the 
sway of a gentle prince, that it was some time before 
they could be quieted. When silence was obtained, 
the King, in a few and simple words, assured his 
subjects that his great desire was, and his aim would 
be, to devote himself to their welfare, and that of 
the country over which he had been called to reign. 


430 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


CHAPTEK XXX. 

THE LAST. 

The vigour with -which Prince Rakota put down 
the attempt at usurpation was followed by charac- 
teristic deeds of leniency and kindness. Instead of 
taking the usual method of savage and semi-civilised 
rulers to crush rebellion, he merely banished 
Rambosalkma from the capital, and confined him in 
a residence of his own in the country ; but no fetters 
were put on his limbs, and his wealth was not for- 
feited, nor was he forbidden to communicate with 
his friends. 

Moreover, before the sun of that day in 1861 had 
set, the new King caused it to be proclaimed far and 
wide that all his subjects might depend upon 
receiving equal protection ; that every man was free 
to worship God according to the dictates of his own 
conscience ; that the prison doors should be thrown 
open to those who had been condemned for con- 
science sake, and their fetters knocked off. He also 
sent ofi&cers to announce to those who had been 
banished to the pestilential districts that the day 
of deliverance had come. 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 421 

To many of these last, of course, the good news 
came too late for this life. Disease, and hard 
labour and cruel fetters, had done their work ; but 
the deliverance that came to these was grander and 
more glorious than the mere removal of earthly 
chains and pains. 

It was a glad day for Madagascar, and the people 
of the capital were wild with joy, for condemned 
ones who had long been given up as lost, because 
enslaved or imprisoned for life, were suddenly 
restored to family and friends, while others could 
entertain the hope that those who had been long 
banished would speedily return to them. Many 
a house in the city resounded that day with hymns 
of praise and thanksgiving that the tyrant Queen 
was dead, and that the gentle Prince was crowned. 

But the change did not bring equal joy to all. 
Some there were whose smitten hearts could not 
recover from the crushing blows they had sustained 
when the news of loved ones having perished in 
exile had been brought to them — though even these 
felt an impulse of pleasure from Christian sympathy 
with the joy of their more fortunate friends. 

Among these last was poor Eeni-Mamba. She, 
being very meek and submissive, had tried hard to 
join in the prayer and praise; but her voice was 
choked when she attempted to speak, and it quavered 
sadly when she tried to sing. 


422 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


Oh ! if it had only pleased God to spare thee, 
Mamba — thou crumb of my life ! — my dear, my 
only son ! ” She broke out thus one day when 
the sympathetic Ea-Euth sought to comfort her, 
I was beginning to get over the loss of his father 
— it was so many years ago that they took him from 
me ! and as my boy grew up, the likeness to my 
Andrianivo was so strong that I used to try to think 

it was himself ; but — now — both ” 

Are -with the. Lord, which is far -better,” said 
Ea-Euth, tenderly laying her hand on Eeni’s arm. 

“ You are- young to give such comfort,” returned 
Eeni, with a sad smile. 

“ It is not I who give it, but the Lord,” returned 
Ea-Euth. “ And you forget, mother, that I am old 
in experience. When I stood on the edge of the 
Eock of Hurling, that awful day, and saw the dear 
ones tossed over one by one, I think that many 
years passed over my head ! ” 

“ True — true — ” returned the other, " I am a 
selfish old woman — forgetting others when I think 
so much of myself. Come — let us go to the meeting. 
You know that the congregation assembles to-day 
for the first time after many, many, years — so 
many ! ” 

“Yes, mother, I know it. Indeed I came here 
partly to ask you to go with me. And they say 
that Totosy, the great preacher, is to speak to us.” 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 423 

Many others besides these two wended their way 
to the meeting-house that day. Among them was 
a group in which the reader is perhaps interested. 
It consisted of Mark Breezy, John Hockins, Ebony 
Ginger, Samuel Eavoninohitriniony, Laihova, and 
Voalavo. 

“ Well now, this is the queerest go-to-meetin' that 
I ’ve had to do with since I was a babby,” remarked 
Hockins, as he looked from side to side upon the 
varied crowd of men and women, black, brown, and 
yellow, rich and poor, noble and slave, who were 
joyfully and noisily thronging to the house of God ! 

“ Das true, — an' look dar ! ” said Ebony, pointing to 
a young woman who was standing as if thunder-struck 
before a worn-out, feeble, white-haired man in tattered 
garments, with a heavy iron collar on his neck. 

Eecovering from her surprise, the young woman 
uttered the word ‘‘ Father ” with a wild shriek, and 
rushed into the old man’s arms. 

“ Easy to see that he is a banished one returned 
unexpectedly,” observed Mark, as the young woman, 
after the first wild embrace, seized the old man’s arm 
and hurried him towards the meeting-house, while 
tears of joy streamed from her eyes. 

And this was not the only case they witnessed^ 
for constantly, during the days that followed the 
accession of Eadama ii., exiles were -hastening home, 
— men and women in rags, worn and wasted with 


424 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


want and suffering— reappearing in the city to the 
astonishment and joy of friends who had -supposed 
them long since dead. Yes, the long- desired jubilee 
had come at last, and not^only was there great re- 
joicing over those lost and found ones, but also over 
many who, through the power of sympathy, were 
brought at that time to the Saviour and repent- 
ance. 

Eeferring to that period, one of those returned 
exiles writes thus:— “On Thursday, 29th August 
1861, we that were in concealment appeared. Then 
all the people were astonished when they saw us, 
that we were alive and not yet buried or eaten by 
the dogs. And there were a great many people 
desiring to see us, for they considered us as dead, 
and this is- what- astonished them. On the 9th of 
September, those that were in fetters came to 
Antananarivo, but they could not walk on account 
of the weight of the heavy fetters and their weak 
and feeble bodies.” 

It was a strange gathering, and there were many 
surprises, in the church that day, and some strange 
music too, 'besides that of psalms and hymns and 
spiritual songs, for, during the service, several exiles 
who had just arrived, hearing what was going on, 
had hastened to the scene of reunion without 
waiting to have their fetters filed off, and entered 
the house in clanking chains. 


THE TYEANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


425 


The preacher’s duty was one of unusual, difficulty, 
for, besides these peculiar interruptions and the 
exclamations of surprised friends, the sympathy of 
his own- heart nearly choked his utterance more 
than once. But Totosy was equal to the occasion. 
His heart was on fire, his lips were eloquent, and 
the occasion was one of a thousand, never to be 
forgotten. Despite difficulties, he held his audience 
spell-bound while he discoursed of the “ wonderful 
words of God” and the shower of blessing which 
had begun to fall. 

Suddenly, during a momentary pause in the dis- 
course, the clanking of a very heavy chain was 
heard, and a man was seen to make his way through 
the crowd. Like Saul, head and shoulders above 
his fellows, gaunt, worn, and ragged, he had been 
standing near the door, not listening, apparently, to 
the preacher, but intent on scanning the faces of 
the congregation. Discovering at length what he 
looked for, he forced his way to the side of Eeni- 
Mamba, sank at her feet, and with a profound sigh 
— almost a groan — laid his head upon her lap ! 

Mamba, grown to a giant, seemed to have come 
back to her. But it was not her son. It was 
Andrianivo, her - long-lost husband ! For one 
moment poor Eeni seemed terrified and bewildered, 
then she suddenly grasped the man’s prematurely 
grey head in both hands and covered the face with 


426 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


passionate kisses, uttering every now and then a 
shriek by way of relieving her feelings. 

Great though the preacher’s power was in over- 
coming the difficulties of his position, Eeni-Mamba’s 
meek spirit, when thus roused, was too much for 
him. He was obliged to stop. At the same 
moment the gaunt giant arose, gathered up Keni in 
his great arms as if she had been a mere baby, and, 
without a word, stalked out of the meeting to the 
music of his clanking chains. A Malagasy cheer 
burst from the sympathetic people. 

“ Praise the Lord ! Let us sing ! ” shouted the 
wise Totosy, and in a few seconds the congregation 
was letting off its surplus steam in tremendous and 
jubilant song, to the ineffable joy of Ebony, who 
must have burst out in some other way had not this 
safety-valve been provided. 

But there were more surprises in store for that 
singular meeting. After the sermon the preacher 
announced that two marriages were about to be 
solemnised by him in the simplest manner possible, 
“ My friends,” he said, “ one of the bridegrooms is 
only half a Malagasy, the other half of him is 
English. He objects to- ceremony, and his friend, 
the other man to be married, objects to everything 
that he objects to, and agrees to everything that he 
agrees to, which is a very satisfactory state of mind 
in a friend ; so they are to be married together.” 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 427 

Immediately after this speech Eavouino led for- 
ward Eafaravavy, and Laihova advanced with 
Ea-Euth, and these two couples were then and there 
united in- matrimony. Eadama ii. himself, and 
Prince Eamonja, who had been recalled and rein- 
stated with the. Secretary, and Soa, and other 
courtiers, graced the wedding with their presence. 

Prom this time, - Eadama ii. — or Eakota, as we 
still prefer to call him — began systematically to 
undo the mischief which his wicked -mother had 
done. He began to build a college ; he re-opened 
the schools throughout the country which had been 
closed in the previous reign, and acted on principles 
of civil and religious liberty and universal free 
trade, while the London Missionary Society — which 
had sent out the first Protestant Missionaries in 
1818-20— ^were invited to resume their beneficent 
labours in the island — an invitation which, of 
course, they gladly accepted, and at once despatched 
the veteran Mr. Ellis, and other missionaries, to the 
re-opened field.' 

But all this, and much more historical matter of 
great interest, we must leave untouched, in order 
that we may wind up the record of our heroes’ 

1 Those who wish for fuller information will find it in such works 
as Madagascar and its People, by James Sibree, Junr. ; Madagascar, 
its Missions and its Martyrs ; The History of Madagascar, etc., by 
Rev. William Ellis; Madagascar of To-day {a threepenny volume), 
by G. A. Shaw, F.Z.S., etc. 


428 


THE FUGITIVES, OR 


fortunes, or '-misfortunes ; as the reader pleases 
to consider them. 

The events which we have described occurred in 
such rapid succession that our trio — Mark, Hockins, 
and Ebony — had scarce found breathing-time to 
consider what they should do, now that they were 
free to do as they pleased. 

“Go home, ob course,” said Ebony, when the 
question was mooted. “Aint my black darlin’ 
awaitin’ ob me dar ? ” 

“ I incline to the same course,” said Mark, for 

my well, I won’t say who, is awaiting me there 

also.” 

“Unless she’s failed in lub wid some one else, 
tinkin’ you. was dead, massa, you know,” suggested 
Ebony. 

“ Ditto, says I,” answered Hockins, when appealed 
to, “ for, to the best o’ my belief, my old ooman is 
awaitin’ for me, too, over there — he pointed to 
England with the stem of his pipe — to say nothin’ o’ 
three thumpin’ boys an’ a gal — also an old gran’- 
mother an’ a maiden aunt, etceterer — all a-waitin’ 
with great, patience, I have no manner o’ doubt.” 

“ But how ’s we to git dar ? Das de question ; as 
Hamblit said to his moder’s ghost.” 

The question was answered sooner than they 
expected, for while they were yet speaking, a sum- 
mons came from the King commanding the immedi- 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 


429 


ate attendance of the Court Physician. The object 
was to offer Mark his appointment permanently, but 
Mark respectfully, yet firmly, declined the honour. 

“ I feared that,” said the King, for I doubt not 
that you has friends in your native home which 
draws you. Well, you wishes to go. I say Go with 
my good-will. There is Breetish ship loading at 
Tamatave now. If you and you’s friends mus’ go, 
there be your chance, and I will send you to Tama- 
tave in palanquins. We all very sorry you go, for 
you was useful to us, and you was be kind — to my 
mother !” 

Of course Mark gladly availed himself of the 
opportunity, thankfully accepted the king’s offer, 
and went off to inform his comrades and make 
preparation. 

It was a sad occasion when they met in the house 
of their old guide Eavonino, to spend the last evening 
with him and Eafaravavy, and Laihova, and Ea- 
Euth, Eeni-Mamba and her husband, Voalavo, Soa, 
Totosy, the Secretary, and other friends, but it was 
also a time of pleasant communing about days that 
seemed so long past, although so recent. They also 
communed of days to come, and especially of that 
great day of re-union in the Better Land. And 
intensely earnest was the final prayer of the native 
pastor Totosy, as he commended his friends to the 
loving care of God. 


430 


THE FUGITIVES, OK 


Next day they set sail for the seaport town of 
Tamatave. 

And here we might appropriately terminate our 
narrative, for the bright days that had begun to 
dawn on Madagascar have never since been darkened 
by persecution — though they have not been alto- 
gether cloudless or free from the curse of war ; for, 
with its enormous capacities and important posi- 
tion, the island has long been a morsel coveted by 
some of what men style the “ Great^Powers.” 

But we may not close our tale without at least 
touching on one dark spot, the contemplation of 
which cannot fail to grieve the heart of every 
sincere Christian. Eakota, - the gentle, humane, 
courageous Prince, who had always favoured, and 
suffered hardship for, the cause of Christ, who had 
shielded and saved many of the Christians at the 
risk of his own life, and seemed to be — indeed was — 
a very pillar in the infant church, Eakota fell into 
gross sin and ultimately perished by the assassin’s 
hand. 

We have no right to judge him. Only this we 
know, that “the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth 
from all sin and if his life and death throw light 
upon any passage of Scripture, they seem to bring 
out in strong relief the words, “ Let him that 
thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 


THE TYRANT QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR. 431 

It was a bright breezy morning when our three 
heroes stood on the deck of a homeward-bound 
vessel and gazed wistfully over the taffrail at the 
fast-receding shore. When the island sank like a 
little cloud into the horizon and disappeared, Mark 
and Ebony turned their eager eyes in the direction 
of old England, as if they half expected that 
celebrated isle of the west to appear ! (Possibly the 
one was thinking of a fair one with .golden hair and 
blue -eyes and a rosebud mouth.) It is not improb- 
able that the other was- engaged in mental contem- 
plation of a -dark one with “ a flat nose, and a coah 
scuttle mout’, an’ such eyes !” As for Hockins, he 
stood with his sea-legs wide apart, his hands in his 
breeches pockets, and his eyes frowning- severely at 
the ileck. Evidently hia thoughts, whether of past, 
present, or future, were too ,deep for utterance, for, 
like his comrades, he maintained unbroken silence. 

Leaving them thus in pensive, meditation, we 
regretfully^ bid them — and oup readers— farewell ! 


THE END. 


PRINTED BY T. AND A. CONSTABLE, PRINTERS TO HER MAJESTY, 
at the EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY PRESS. 




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